Police have arrested six suspects believed to be members of a criminal group that has reigned terror on residents of Awerial County in South Sudan’s Lakes State.

The arrests follow the increase in crime rates in recent weeks.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Lt. Colonel John Bol Char, the county police inspector said the six suspects were arrested during a crackdown launched in Mingkaman town last week.

“Cases of cattle thefts and burglaries are on the rise here. The latest incident was on June 21 when 25 phones and 60,000 SSP were taken after a shop was broken into. We notified our counterparts in Yirol and Bor towns. So far, we have recovered 6 cows,” Bol explained.

The officer said investigations into these incidents are still ongoing.

“The rise in burglaries and cattle thefts is due to links to Bor, Juba and Yirol town. There are movements here and there. Also, cattle camps have been moved close to town,” he added.

Bol urged the public to cooperate with police to combat crimes.