A group of police officers who have followed various training courses have received their certificates while others have been recognised for their long years of service with the force.

This took place during a ceremony held yesterday at the Seychelles Trading Company’s conference room in the presence of the Minister for Home Affairs Mitcy Larue, Commissioner of Police Reginald Elizabeth, Air Seychelles representative Joel De Commarmond, senior officers and members of the Seychelles Police.

Twenty-nine officers received certificates for Developing Performance Leadership, thirteen received certificates for Training of Trainers while fourteen received their Customer Service certificates.

The three courses were delivered by the University of Seychelles (UniSey) during the course of 2015 and 2016.

A group of eleven officers who took a refresher course in practical First Aid led by the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) also received their certificate.

Officers who were rewarded for their long years of service and exemplary conduct have clocked 15, 25 and 40 years with the force.

The country’s monthly crime rate has for the last 5 years dropped by nearly half, with the record lowest figures recorded in August this year.

According to statistics communicated by the police, a total of 283 crimes were committed for the whole of last month compared to 543 in August 2012, representing a total drop of 48%. Among those crimes, we see a 46% decrease in thefts (85 compared to 157 in 2012) and 56% in burglary or night robberies (66 compared to 148 in 2012).

Crime figures have also dropped considerably compared to the same period of last year when a total of 429 crimes were committed, the average standing at about 34%. Same applies to specific crimes with 127 thefts and 129 burglaries in August 2015.

The figures were communicated by police spokesman Jean Toussaint during a press conference at the police headquarters yesterday afternoon.