Police Data Shows Over 5,000 Street Stops Involved Individuals With Criminal Records

Maldives Police have reported that the majority of individuals stopped and questioned during street operations in Malé last month had prior criminal records. 

According to data released by the Police, 5,023 of the 5,701 individuals checked were found to have previous criminal histories, while the remaining 678 had no known record.

The figures were included in a broader operational summary outlining police activities focused on visibility patrols, traffic management, and community engagement. During December, police maintained 25 visibility and traffic control points across the capital, checked 21,521 locations, and operated 103 vehicle checkpoints. Officers spent a combined total of 1,048 hours and 43 minutes conducting patrols on the streets.

Police also responded to 153 crime scenes during the month. These included 113 cases of theft, 20 incidents involving fights, 13 traffic accidents, and seven robberies.

In addition to enforcement activities, officers carried out 1,069 community interaction efforts and made 172 attempts to resolve public concerns. Police further responded to 52 incidents classified as serious offences.

Authorities stated that the operations form part of an ongoing strategy aimed at improving public safety and reducing street-level crime. Police have also conducted public awareness activities, including the distribution of posters and the use of loudspeaker announcements, to promote road safety and discourage illegal activities.