Crime Prevention Tips

		When you leave home, make sure all the doors and windows are locked.
		At home, never open the door to a caller until you know who it is.
		You should have a peep-hole in the front door so that you can see who is out there.
		When you go out at night, leave a light on.
		Before leaving on a trip, a. stop all deliveries b. connect a light to a timer c. notify the police d. have a neighbour or relative check your home from time to time.

		Always park in a well-lit, bustling area or in parking lots that have attendants.
		Never leave valuables or keys in your car.
		Never leave your parking ticket or chip coin inside the car.
		Never leave the car running even if you'll only be gone for a minute.
		Always park with the windows up and the doors locked.
		Be careful while getting into your car. Watch for suspicious characters lurking nearby.
		Never pick up hitch-hikers.
		If you have a flat tyre in an area that does not seem safe, try to keep driving until you reach a safer location.
		If you are being followed by another vehicle, drive to the nearest police or fire station.
		Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there's enough fuel to get you to your destination and back.
		Do not get out of your car if it is suddenly blocked by another motorist. Lock your door and try to manoeuvre out of there. Remember, an assailant who gets out of his vehicle to approach your car is the vulnerable one.

		Keep your valuables out of sight.
		Stay alert and follow your instincts.
		Keep handbags or slingbags on the shoulder that is away from the road.
		Avoid taking shortcuts through deserted areas.
		If someone asks for directions, keep a polite but safe distance.
		If a thief demands your valuables, hand them over; your life is worth more. If possible, throw them away from you and run.
		You're safer in the company of others. If you must be out alone, stay away from dark corners, alleys and doorways.
		Keep your ID, driving licence, credit cards, etc in a pocket or concealed pouch to reduce the risk of losing them to thieves.
		If you are robbed, try to remember the attacker's face, the licence plate number and the make of his vehicle. This information could save others.
		Report all incidents of snatch theft to the police.

	FOR PARENTS.
		Make sure your child travels in a group, to and from school. Children in groups are generally safer.
		Never let your child walk or cycle to school alone, day or night.
		If circumstances require your child to travel alone, check out the route he takes when travelling to school. Make note of any potential hiding places for criminals.
		Look for shortcuts your child might use; be sure that these do not take him through unsafe areas or out of public view. Agree on safe routes with your child.
		Get to know the families of your child's friends.
		Advise your child not to hitch-hike or accept rides from friends unless you have given your permission.
		Tell your child to report any suspicious behaviour or characters to the school authorities.
	FOR CHILDREN.
		Always travel in pairs or groups. Never walk or cycle alone.
		Do not take shortcuts through lonely areas.
		Make sure your parents get to know your friends' parents.
		Don't accept anything - gifts or rides - from strangers.
		If a stranger or a strange vehicle approaches you, keep walking or run if you have to.
		If you see a suspicious character hanging around the school or its entrance, tell a teacher.
		Wait in line to get on the school bus. Do not push or shove.
		Don't play in the street while waiting for your transport home.
		If you travel by bus, wait for it to stop before you get on or off.
		Don't run in front of or behind the bus to cross the road. Oncoming vehicles might not see you. Wait for the bus to move away before you cross the road.

Cops begin massive search for Sharlinie

Cops begin massive search for Sharlinie

PETALING JAYA: Police have begun a massive search for five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar who disappeared from a playground about 200m from her house in Taman Medan on Wednesday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said a task force headed by Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed has been formed with Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor police.

Where is she?: Children living near Sharlinie's house in PJS2 holding up a poster showing the missing girl Thursday. Sharlinie has been missing since Wednesday. AZMAN GHANI / The Star

He said posters of Sharlinie and the photofit of a suspect in the attempted abduction of a six-year-old girl near her flat in Kampung Sepakat on Monday, about 2km from where Sharlinie went missing, have also been sent to all police stations located at the borders.

The girl was found three hours later in Wangsa Maju.

Musa said there was a possibility that the suspect was linked to the abduction of Sharlinie and the previous cases in Kampung Baru.

“We have told them to be on the lookout for anyone trying to cross the border with a girl fitting the description of Sharlinie.

“We have also alerted all airports and our counterparts in neighbouring countries to be on the lookout,” he told reporters at a joint press conference with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil at the Petaling Jaya police station yesterday.

Musa said the police want to interview those who saw Sharlinie being abducted.

“The incident occurred about 11am. At that time there were several stalls and people in the area.

“So those who might have witnessed the incident should come forward to help us identify the criminals involved in the case,” he said, adding that this would enable the police to take swift action in locating the girl and nabbing the culprits.

He said those with information on Sharlinie’s whereabouts could contact her father Mohd Nashar Mat Hussain at 016-258 3450 / 016-270 9096 or call the police at 03-7966 2222 or Rakan Cop at 03-2115 9999.

Asked about a phone call and text message received by Sharlinie’s father, Musa said police were investigating its authenticity.

“People should only give genuine information and not take advantage of other people’s grief,” he said.

Musa said he has directed Selangor CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar to discuss with the Taman Medan Village Security and Development Committee on having parents or an elderly person from every housing estate at playgrounds.

“By doing this, everyone, including parents and the police, will be able to monitor the children,” he said.