With an escalation in armed robberies, police might be compelled to take the drastic measure of frisking and even strip-searching suspects and pedestrians in an effort intended to "Secure Khomas for All".

Police Regional Commander for Khomas, Commissioner Festus Shilongo. said this in an interview with New Era.

Commissioner Shilongo said last year alone, 96 people lost their lives after being shot. Among the victims were those killed during armed robberies.

As per the Firearms Act, Shilongo said, anyone found carrying a firearm without it being in its holster is liable to be fined and have the gun confiscated.

"This (armed robbery) is a very frightening thing and it is unacceptable," he said.

The commissioner said firearms are supposed to be kept in a secured safe.

Taking a swipe at gambling houses and illegal shebeens, Commissioner Shilongo said gambling outlets operating gambling machines without licenses are operating illegally.

He said the moratorium on the issuance of licences was lifted although the law was not suspended by parliament.

"All these jackpot machines are illegal," said the regional police commander

Yesterday, Commissioner Shilongo addressed shebeen owners on various issues, including licenses and the conduct of clients at watering holes, among other burning issues.

"The writing is on the wall. Close your unlicensed shebeen before we close it for you," he warned.

The recent spate of armed robberies at local shebeens in Havana and Otjomuise which operate gambling machines have become increasingly worrying, Shilongo said, and are reflective of the current financial climate where more and more young people who perhaps may have steered clear of this sort of crime are resorting to robbery and even violence in a bid to get hold of money.

The ages of the robbers in the latest incidents are unknown but judging from previous ones, it has become an all too common trend, with increasingly younger people getting involved.

No arrests have been made and the victim's escaped uninjured.

Police are following leads.

Most of these places despite being guarded by armed security guards fall prey to armed criminals, he noted.