Rwanda National Police has ordered private security companies to tighten measures in preventing crimes committed in public spaces, including defilement committed especially in hotels and other recreational facilities they guard.

Figures from the Ministry of Health show that 19,832 underage girls were impregnated in 2018, while this year, between January and August, 15,696 girls were impregnated.

Assistant Commissioner Police Jean-Nepo Mbonyumuvunyi, the acting Director for Infrastructure Security and Private Security Companies at RNP, told 600 security guards from AGESPRO, one of the local security companies, to be on alert.

"Many of these crimes are committed in bars, hotels, night clubs, lodges and you are the ones who keep security in these facilities. Crimes are committed on your watch which should not be the case and it must change,” he said.

He urged security guards to share information with concerned institutions in case they see an adult with an underage girl entering these facilities and engaging them in such acts that normally lead into defilement.

The official also reminded security guards to tighten procedures for screening and checking people, luggage and vehicles in public buildings, according to standards operating procedures.

Mbonyumuvunyi also urged the private security guards not to allow drunk people they see coming out of bars or hotels they protect to drive.

"We need strong collaboration with private security companies in preventing crimes,” he said.

Robert Mbaguta Muyango, the Managing Director of AGESPRO, said that the training campaign aims at enforcing professionalism considering that there are cases where it is not complied with.

"It is our obligation that we work with police to fight crime. The programme will be extended to all our guards,” he said adding that his company employs 2000 security guards.

There are 17 private security companies across the country.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com