Police officer march during the Independence Day [Eye Radio]

The Ministry of Interior has opened 8 new police posts in Juba and issued a temporary emergency security number to improve security in the town.

More police officers have also been deployed to the new posts to quicken response to criminal activities.

The temporary phone number for the public to call in case of an emergency is 09 22 00 00 42.

Police spokesperson Colonel James Monday Enoka said the aim is to encourage people displaced by violence to return to their homes.

Col Monday also told Eye Radio that the establishment of the new posts is to increase the presence of police in areas that civilians fear to return to due to insecurity.

“That is a program in line with the initiative of the South Sudan National Police Services which is entitled:  ‘Confidence and Trust building between the security forces and the community’ to create a conducive and protective environment in the areas,” he said.

The 8 targeted areas include Mia Saba, Tong Piny, Manga Ten, Gudele one and Two, Jebel area, Lologo, Rock City -that is Hai Tarawa and Kor-wiliang.

“And besides that,” continued Col Monday, “we are already deploying enough police officers in those areas to do patrols -both during the day and night time, to have a continuous strategy in those places.”

Colonel Monday appeals to people displaced by the conflict to return to their homes.

He said the police service can assure them of their safety.

“We want to assure the people that we are capable of providing security to the people. We are urging them to build confidence in the security personnel, as we work to provide them a conducive atmosphere for their lives on 24-hour basis.”

Colonel Monday Enoka said the Ministry of Interior is working on establishing a permanent telephone hotline number which be used by the public to report any criminal activity taking place.