Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc greets police officers before the conference. —VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc urged the Ministry of Public Security to step up crackdowns on organised crime, especially economic, child abuse and drug crimes while attending a conference on Thursday in Hà Nội.

The conference aimed to review the sector’s performance in the first half of this year and set out tasks for the second half.

Presenting a report at the conference, Minister of Public Security Tô Lâm said the complex developments of global and regional affairs have brought both opportunities and challenges to the police.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, police officers have stood at the frontline to battle the disease and ensure public security.

In the first six months of this year, the number of crimes decreased by 8.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. Police nationwide cracked down on more than 19,700 criminal cases and arrested 45,004 criminals including those in extremely serious cases, he said.

More than 14,000 drug-related cases were brought into light with 284.6kg of heroin and more than 1,700kg of synthetic drugs seized, according to the report.

PM Phúc acknowledged achievements made by the police and paid tribute to officers who lost their lives or were injured in the fight against crimes.

In the first six months of this year, 11 police officers died and 115 others were injured while on duty.

He said their achievements and sacrifices have contributed significantly to political and public security, especially to the prevention and control of COVID-19.

He asked the police to continue to monitor global and regional affairs and ensure security of key national political, cultural and social events, especially Party congress at all levels, the 13th National Party Congress and other activities this year when Việt Nam assumes ASEAN Chairmanship and takes on the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2020-21 as well as chair of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) 41.

He asked the Ministry of Public Security to take more drastic measures to fight against drug, fraud and property appropriation crimes.

He also urged the police to ensure investigation deadlines of economic and corruption-related crimes, especially cases being followed by the National Steering Committee on Corruption Prevention and Control. — VNS