11 November 2012 - To make reporting crimes easier in Bentiu, Unity State, UN Police and the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) distributed leaflets with 24-hour emergency phone numbers to the congregationof a Catholic church today.

The emergency lines were opened with support from UN Police at the beginning of October to report crimes in Bentiu town and Rubkona County. The calls are received by officers in the SSNPS Joint Operations Centre (JOC) and the information passed to relevant police posts through internal radios.

UN Police provided the phone numbers and trained SSNPS JOC officers in report writing, communication flow and logbook keeping. They are continuing to with with the officers to improve their effectiveness in reporting and responding to crimes.

According to SSNPS JOC Lieutenant David Achuil Kueng, there have been 27 calls since the lines were opened.

UNMISS is assisting the SSNPS to spread the emergency line message among the population of Bentiu and Rukona, providing leaflets to distribute in the market, mosques and churches and helping the force link with local state radio.