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The Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Stephen Andoh Kwofie has described armed robbery as the major challenge of the police in the region. According to him, even though the region was relatively calm as compared to other regions in the country, the number of robbery cases had increased significantly. He disclosed that his outfit had recorded 102 robbery cases this year as against 34 cases recorded over the same period in 2011. The police commander made this known in Cape Coast on Friday during a press conference to shed light on security matters in the region. The press conference was also to inform the media about the police�s preparedness to ensure violent-free elections on December 7. He stated that the region has 68 police stations and six police barriers with 1,694 police men spread across the region to ensure peace and protect residents and visitors who throng the numerous tourist attractions and educational facilities in the area. He noted that Kasoa and Dunkwa-On-Offin had been identified as the major hideout of robbers in the region, adding that the police had intensified patrols in those areas and introduced a new policing method to reduce the spate of robberies in those areas. DCOP Andoh Kwofie further stated that the number of cases involving people in possession of narcotics increased from six in 2011 to 26 in 2012. He disclosed that defilement cases also increased from 59 in 2011 to 150 this year while 28 rape cases rape were recorded in 2011 and 2012. The police boss also revealed that 20 murder cases were recorded last year while 29 cases have so far been recorded this year.He added that accident cases did not increase, stressing that 601 cases had been recorded for this year. He however added that the total number of vehicles involved in accidents in 2011 was 600 as against 817, this year with 113 deaths recorded last year and 124 deaths this year. DCOP Andoh Kwofie indicated that many road accidents were due to the attitude of stakeholders and charged vehicle inspectors at the various transport unions, passengers and pedestrians to help the police to monitor drivers. He also called on politicians to comply with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Act, Public Order Act and Motor Traffic Offences Act to ensure peaceful campaigns. The regional commander also appealed to politicians to desist from interfering in the activities of police and tagging of the police to enable them carry out their functions effectively.