Reply: I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that currently one hundred and sixty-five police riders are posted to the Traffic Branch of the Mauritius Police Force. These police riders are deployed in seven Field Divisions as follows – (i) Traffic Enforcement Squad – 24;

108 (ii) Northern Traffic Field Division – 23; (iii) Metro North and South Traffic Field Division – 35; (iv) Eastern Traffic Field Division – 21; (v) Western Traffic Field Division – 25; (vi) Central Traffic Field Division – 25, and (vii) Southern Traffic Field Division – 12. The main duties of the police riders are inter-alia to – (i) regulate traffic at strategic locations throughout the island; (ii) escort heavy or oversized motor vehicles; (iii) attend to emergencies including road accidents and obstructions; (iv) facilitate the movement of foot and vehicular processions; (v) ensure the smooth passage of VVIP convoys, and (vi) perform crack down operations such as speed checks, alcohol, and drug test and checks on suspicious vehicles with the assistance of other units of the Mauritius Police Force. With the increase in the number of vehicles on our roads and the expansion of the road network, there is a need for more police riders to ensure effective traffic management, road safety and security. In this regard, action is being taken by Police to increase the capacity of the Traffic Branch, not only in terms of additional police riders, but also through the acquisition of new motorcycles and training of the police riders. RODRIGUES – LIVESTOCK THEFT– REPORTED CASES