Arpine Sargsyan Gives New Instructions to Police: Preventive Services Strengthened

During the first half of 2026, the Community Police Department of Ashtarak recorded 486 crimes, with 436 of them solved. The detection rate has decreased compared to the same period last year. The number of crimes against individuals has decreased, while those against property and economic activities have increased. Additionally, crimes against public safety, public order, and public health have risen due to instances of patrol officers discovering vehicles being driven without licenses.

In the Community Police Department of Aparan, 140 crimes were recorded, 117 of which were solved. The detection rate stood at 83.6 percent. Crimes against individuals, state authority, and management order have decreased, whereas crimes against property have increased.

In the Talin Police Department's jurisdiction, no cases of armed crime were recorded during the reporting period. Out of 102 recorded crimes, 87 were solved. Crimes against individuals decreased by 68.8 percent, while those against state authority, service, and management order dropped by 73.9 percent. Officers of the department drafted administrative reports concerning violations related to the use of the national flag, smoking in unauthorized places, public order maintenance rules, and other breaches.

The patrol service in the Aragatsotn region detected 40 criminal cases in the past six months. A decision to impose administrative penalties was made 35,539 times, which is 4,239 less than in the same period last year. The number of victims from traffic accidents remained unchanged compared to the previous year, but the number of injuries increased. The head of the Ashtarak State Protection Department reported the main outcomes of the service, emphasizing a significant improvement in the crime detection rate during the reporting period. According to him, the increase in the detection rate is a result of consistent work and operational cooperation across different areas of the service.

Thanking those involved for their efforts, Minister Sargsyan noted that the results for the first half of the year are generally satisfactory; however, several observed trends require more targeted, consistent, and effective work.

In response to trends in criminal activity, Arpine Sargsyan has instructed to enhance operational and investigative measures against criminal subcultures, emphasizing that any such manifestations should receive a prompt, adequate, and uncompromising response from the police.

The minister ordered an immediate and coordinated response from all law enforcement agencies to ensure a full investigation and appropriate legal proceedings for every report of crimes against sexual freedom or personal inviolability. Minister Sargsyan also called for a consistent fight against the detection, disclosure, and prevention of economic crimes, particularly by intensifying oversight in the mining sector. Addressing incidents involving individuals with mental health issues, she underscored the need for increased inter-agency efforts.

The minister highlighted the importance of an active presence of patrol officers in communities, emphasizing that the preventive service should be more visible and accessible, including in courtyard areas. She instructed to strengthen services during the holiday season and ensure continuous monitoring in recreational areas.