A joint court to try security personnel who engaged in criminal activities in the country has been formed by all the organized forces, says the Ministry of Interior.

The Inspector General of Police, Pieng Deng Koul says some of the suspects have been arrested and are waiting for trial.

He says several judges have been assigned to run the newly established courts.

“We have signed that no personnel from any unit should be taken to his or to her unit again, we have a joint detention [center] were we detain all the soldiers, all the security personnel’s and then we try them in one court,” said General Deng.

“We don’t send them to their units, because we found that in the units they go unpunished.”

Officials say crime rate usually increases towards festivities such as Christmas.

General Deng says the police have made arrangements for security during the Christmas season. More patrol vehicles would be given to the 777 teams to help in responding to any emergencies.

He said: “I have given instruction and directive to all police commissioners in the states, to make all possible arrangements to protect the citizens with their property, during the coming celebrations of Christmas and New Year.”

General Deng says in Juba, forces have will be deployed in all areas of the city, and will be supervised by senior officers in the forces.