Police have identified roughly 300 children who are spending time in criminal environments or associating closely with individuals who have criminal records, senior officials said on Tuesday. Work has now begun with parents to intervene early and prevent the children from being drawn deeper into crime.
Speaking at a press conference held at Iskandhar Barracks on Tuesday, Superintendent Mohamed Shareef, head of the Police Crime Against Children Department, said officers have compiled and listed information on about 300 minors who are regularly seen with known offenders.
Shareef said police have already begun reaching out to parents.
“We have informed the parents about how their children are becoming involved in crime and how these patterns were identified,” he said, adding that coordinated work with relevant agencies is expected to produce positive results.
Shareef expressed concern over the rising number of children under 18 involved in criminal activity.
ސެންޓްރަލް އިންވެސްޓިގޭޝަން ކޮމާންޑުގައި ހިމެނޭ ބަހާތަކުގެ މަސައްކަތްތަކާ ގުޅޭގޮތުން މައުލޫމާތު ދިނުމަށް ބޭއްވި ނޫސްވެރިންގެ ބައްދަލުވުމުގެ ތެރެއިން pic.twitter.com/uX98tLnsNF
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“Especially in the Greater Male' Area, whether it’s Vilimale', Hulhumale', Male', and particularly Hulhumale' Phase 2, we are seeing a significant number of children involved in crime,” he said. He added that more investigative focus is needed on cases emerging from Phase 2.
Superintendent Ishaq Adam, head of the Police Gang Crime Enforcement Department, said officers have observed that many children spend extended periods, both during the day and late at night, with individuals who have criminal records, often in areas where gang activity is concentrated.
Police say the early‑intervention effort aims to reduce the risk of children being recruited into criminal groups and to strengthen parental involvement in prevention.