Ten reasons why Bahrain is safe

DT News Network

news@dt.bh

In the backdrop of the recent terrorist attacks against centres of worship in the region, apprehensions have gone up regarding the security of Bahrain among the citizens. However, a group of young and moderate Bahrainis, who have come together to express our opinions with regard to our nation’s current affairs, has cited ten reasons to claim that Bahrain is one of the safest places in the world.

The group, Citizens for Bahrain has highlighted the report of elist10.com, which placed Bahrain in the fourth place in the list of countries which record lowest rate of crime. In the list, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore have gained first three places respectively. 

According to the group, expats feel safe in Bahrain. Many even reported that they are not worried about leaving their cars and homes unlocked. 

The Numbeo database, the world’s largest database of user-contributed data about countries worldwide, has also said that the crime rates in Bahrain are very low. Quoting Numbeo observations, the Citizens for Bahrain said that people feel safe to walk at night in Bahrain. It also said that Bahrain reported very less amount of house burglary or theft cases. Even cases related drug offences, car theft and muggings are very low in the Kingdom, the group said, quoting Numbeo database.

Citizens for Bahrain also highlighted the observations of US State Department on Bahrain, to defend its claim. The page of US State Department claimed that that the overall rate of street crimes in Bahrain is low and the targeting of Westerner is uncommon. “Robbery and burglary can be prevented with common sense precautions… Bahraini police are professional and competent,” US State Department said.

Other reasons cited by Citizens for Bahrain to feel safe in Bahrain:

* Bahrain’s small size and comprehensive policing. If a car is stolen, the chances of finding it soon are very high. It is not easy to smuggle the car into neighbouring countries as effective border controls are in place in Bahrain.

 

* Bahrain has the one of the highest ratios of law enforcement forces in the world, with over 1900 policemen per one hundred thousand inhabitants.

 

* According to statistics, proportionately the highest incidences of crime are committed by non-Bahrainis. But they are deported immediately or being subjected to severe punishment.

 

* Bahrain does not have the high levels of internal migration and social dislocation. Therefore, there is little incentive for committing crime due to presence of extended families, social solidarity and tight communities.

 

* Over the past four years, crime has tended to be associated with the political unrest. But, since 2012, most of this activity has been confined to certain villages and citizens have rarely been targets, so there has been very little impact on the safety of citizens and their property.

However, Bahrain still needs to score high in issues related human trafficking and corruption. Both had been high-profile issues in parliament in recent months, said Citizens for Bahrain, adding that tough measures being introduced against unregistered workers and incidences of corruption cited in the annual Financial Audit Bureau report.