JOHOR BARU: After having successfully reduced the crime rates in several areas in Klang Valley following the introduction of the mounted unit, Bukit Aman now plans to introduce similar approach in Johor.
Federal Reserve's Mounted Unit commanding officer Deputy Superintendent Mohd Fadhli Daud said the mounted unit, which currently has 63 horses in its stables, was a permanent feature in the police districts in Serdang, Wangsa Maju, Port Dickson and several other locations.
He said since the unit was formed in Serdang in Jan 2015, its members have helped boost the omnipresence of police.
"In the first six months of introduction at the Serdang district, the crime rate has reduced by 30 per cent.
"The unit was one of the factors that contributed to the lower crime index in that area as the team creates a stronger presence for police," said Fadhli after a police mounted unit patrolling programme in Taman Universiti, Skudai today.
He said policemen in the mounted unit have better advantage in terms of commanding stronger presence and better visibility.
Currently, the unit has bases in Putrajaya, Cheras and Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur with a total of 63 horses.
He said in Johor, two teams of the police mounted unit with four horses will start patrolling Taman Universiti and Taman Bukit Indah, from 10am to 2pm today, as part of its nationwide introduction programme.
The teams will patrol Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, in Skudai tomorrow.
Fadhli said Johor police would later decide if it wanted to make the mounted unit team a permanent feature in the state.