Liberian anti-crime measures gain support

MONROVIA, Liberia, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Liberia's fledgling crime prevention campaign has been given support from the United Nations' top police official.

In meetings with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and other top officials to discuss how to strengthen the government's crime prevention campaign, U.N. Police Adviser Andrew Hughes pledged support for the country's anti-crime efforts, the United Nations reported.

During Hughes' visit to Liberia, officials say he accompanied Liberia National Police and U.N. Police officers on a nighttime patrol around Monrovia and went to the Monrovia Central Prison, where he met with corrections officers among others.

"I know there is a great deal of work ahead," Hughes said in a statement. "And I pledge our support for the work of UNPOL here in Liberia."

Hughes was on a four-nation tour visiting the U.N. operation in Cote d'Ivoire, the U.N. integrated office in Sierra Leone and the U.N. mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.

Hughes also "reviewed progress being made by the police and rule of law components of UNMIL and discussed the challenges ahead, as well as assessing the assistance that may be required from U.N. Headquarters in New York for the full implementation of UNMIL's mandate in these areas," the release said.