VietNamNet Bridge - The number of crimes reported in the country has decreased in recent years but the severity of cases is more serious than it was in the past.

An Indonesian robber arrested by HCM City police last July.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le The Tiem revealed the situation while presenting a ministry report at a conference held in Ha Noi on Thursday to review the implementation of the Government resolution and national programme on crime prevention and fighting in the 1998-10 period.

In the last 12 years, criminal investigation task forces had made considerable improvements, leading investigators to discovering many major criminal, economic, drug and corruption cases. Members of many criminal rings had been arrested as a result, said Tiem.

From 1998 to 2010, about 950,000 criminal cases were reported throughout the country, a decrease of 10 per cent compared to the 1986-97 period, he said.

However, Tiem added that there were still limitations to crime prevention and fighting. The number of cases involving weapons had increased and the number of crimes committed by juveniles and young people climbed at an alarming rate.

Drug crimes had become more widespread with more than 143,000 cases discovered in the past 12 years. Each year, about 11,000 cases of drug use and trafficking were reported, leading to the seizure of about one tonne of drugs.

Social evils like prostitution and gambling were still common in urban and rural areas.

“Management at many levels, especially in the economic sector, has failed to properly address corruption and wrongdoing,” Tiem said.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong said leaders of local police forces would have to take responsibility for their failure to tackle criminal and corruption cases.

He said crime prevention and fighting must be based on the leadership of local authorities and the strength of communities. Reviews should be carried out to improve the quality of the work, Trong said.

Source: VNS