In spring and summer 2009, a surge in crime is expected in the Irkutsk region

In spring and summer 2009, a sharp rise in crime is expected in the Angara region, but the Irkutsk regional police say they are already ready for a possible worsening. Alexey Antonov said that now, on the contrary, the number of crimes, including serious ones, is declining, as are violations in the credit and financial sector. He also noted the effectiveness of measures to seize weapons and pay for information about drugs and surrogate alcohol.

A sharp increase in the number of crimes committed in the Angara region is expected in spring-summer 2009. This forecast was made by the head of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate for the Irkutsk Region, Alexey Antonov, at a meeting of the anti-crisis working group under the governor of the region.
According to him, law enforcement agencies have already taken the necessary measures to respond to this. The heads of municipal entities in the Irkutsk Region have been informed about the possible surge in crime, and a number of recommendations have been developed for local authorities. Units of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate are also ready to respond urgently to any deterioration in the crime situation.
Alexey Antonov noted that at present, on the contrary, there is a decline in crime. Thus, in 2008, 8% fewer crimes were registered than in 2007, and in January 2009, 10% fewer than in January 2008. The decrease in the number of serious and especially serious crimes in January of this year is even more significant - 12%.
In addition, the number of offenses in the credit and financial sector has also decreased. If in the first month of 2009 the BEP units of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate for the Irkutsk Region registered 42 such crimes, then a year ago there were 73.
“We have managed to achieve a reduction in the crime rate through a number of measures,” Alexey Antonov noted. “In particular, I would like to highlight the allocation of funds for the seizure of weapons from the population and the payment of rewards for information about drug trafficking and surrogate alcohol. This year we are asking for 2 million rubles from the budget; this amount is insignificant compared with the effect we will achieve.”