Thank you. Madam Speaker, the coastal areas in the north comprise 17 regions which start from Le Goulet and end at Roches Noires. These regions are highly popular among tourists and local residents. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that during the past three years, 1,120 cases of larcenies have been reported to the Police in the northern coastal areas, that is, from 2022 to 2024. I am also informed that the Police have put in place several measures to closely monitor the situation. They are as follows – (i) bike and mobile patrols are carried out daily by the regular Police, Divisional CID, Emergency Response Services, Divisional Support Unit, Police de L’Environnement, Police du Tourisme, and the National Coast Guard in the residential and commercial areas as well as the coastal regions for the safety of visitors and business operators; (ii) the Special Supporting Unit and Special Mobile Force are deployed at night to carry out mobile patrols and roadblocks in strategic locations throughout the island, including, therefore, the Northern Division; (iii) the Crime Prevention Unit regularly conducts sensitisation campaigns in residential and commercial areas as well as hotels in order to raise public awareness on crime prevention measures. Additionally, Neighbourhood Watch Schemes have also been set up in those regions in order to enlist the support of the whole community in the fight against crimes, including larcenies, and (iv) Safe City Cameras are used to monitor the movements of suspicious persons and vehicles for prompt and coordinated response to attend to public requests for police assistance. Madam Speaker, following the appointment of the new Commissioner of Police, the existing measures are being reinforced to revitalise the various Units of the Police Force island-wide for a more effective response to crime.

19 The Police Force is reorganising its workforce and will adopt a zero-tolerance policy approach against all offenders as a deterrent to reoffending. We place, Madam Speaker, a high premium on the safety and security of visitors and local residents. We must ensure that our country remains a safe destination, not only for tourists but also for local residents.

Thank you, hon. Prime Minister. We will now be moving to Questions addressed to other hon. Ministers. So, I have to inform you that PQ I B/22 will be replied by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade. I now call on the hon. Second Member for Mahebourg & Plaine Magnien, Mr Apollon. MV WAKASHIO SHIPWRECK – VICTIMS – COMPENSATION