1,850 officers deployed to secure Christmas

MEDAN: North Sumatra Police said Monday they have deployed at least 1,850 officers to anticipate an increase in thefts over the Christmas and New Year period.

North Sumatra Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Baharuddin Djafar said that robberies in luxurious houses often occurred during this time of the year in Medan and other cities in the province, because of negligence of security officers.

"Thieves do not look at the social status of their victims, but just look for the potential booty in the houses," he said.

Burhanuddin's statement was in response to a robbery attempt at a house belonging to Brig. Gen. Ret. Ali Imran Siregar in Taman Setia Budi Indah housing complex, Medan, on Monday.

Imran suffered severe injuries after he confronted the thieves, who had run off after the victim's maid shouted for help.

Burhanuddin said police were still investigating the robbery and questioning several witnesses, including security officers at the housing complex.

He said a luxurious house belonging to a member of the House of Representative was burgled in September, and police had arrested those involved. - JP