Leaders in Bali’s popular resort of Uluwatu have been speaking to the media about crime and safety in the area.
The statements come after a woman was attacked while driving her motorcycle close to the Swiss-Belresort Pecatu Roundabout in the early hours of Tuesday, 11th February.
The Head of Pecatu Village, Made Sumerta, confirms to reporters that he had been informed of Tuesday morning’s attack. Pecatu comprises a huge area of the southwest of the Bukit Peninsula and all of the resort areas of Uluwatu.
Tracing along the coastline, Pecatu Village runs from Balangan Beach through to Sundays Beach Club, which marks the start of Ungasan.
Sumerta confirmed reports that the woman was stopped by an unknown man as she was driving over the Swiss-Belresort Pecatu Roundabout at around 5 am. He asked her for money, and when she refused, he was reported to have violently attacked her, leaving her with wounds on her face.
Sumerta told reporters, “Criminal acts can happen anywhere. Especially in Pecatu, because nowadays it is quite vulnerable, I urge the public and tourists to be more vigilant when walking, especially during quiet hours.”
He confirmed that the Pecalang of Pecatu Traditional Village has already been working in collaboration with Linmas to conduct routine patrols. Sumerta noted that in light of the attack, teams will now increase the intensity of patrols, especially at night through to early morning.
Sumerta cited the lack of lighting on several roads as a special concern in the Uluwatu area, adding that security will be tightened. Sumerta revealed that Pecatu Traditional Village has 42 pecalang, or local community security officers, who are ready to be set to work to maintain regional security.
Sumerta told reporters, “We from the traditional village have been patrolling, but we will increase the intensity. We have also coordinated with the South Kuta Police. If there are reports of incidents such as mob violence or mugging, the village security and the police will immediately move to patrol from midnight until morning.”
The Head of Pecatu Traditional Village also highlighted the importance of installing surveillance cameras (CCTV) across the developing tourism resorts and the local community’s residential areas. He added that while many villas, hotels, and private homes in Pecatu have installed CCTV, he and his teams will coordinate further to identify additional strategic points to increase surveillance.
Sumerta added, “We will coordinate for the installation of CCTV in locations that are considered vulnerable. However, before that, public awareness remains the main step in preventing similar incidents.”
He concluded, “We hope this incident will be a reminder for all of us to always be vigilant. Hopefully, there will be no more similar actions.”
Speaking separately, the South Kuta Police Chief, Commissioner I Gusti Ngurah Yudistira, confirmed that an investigation is underway but that a formal report from the victim had not yet been lodged by Tuesday afternoon.
He added, “We continue to try to improve security, but the public must also remain vigilant. Hopefully, incidents like this will not happen again.”
As Sumerta and his teams have confirmed that they will be leveling up security operations in Uluwatu, Indonesia’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Ni Luh Puspa, has pledged the support of the Ministry of Tourism to the Bali Regional Police.
She wanted to see more English-speaking police officers deployed across Bali’s top tourism destinations to help ensure safety and security for all.
Crime figures suggest that there has been a sharp rise in the number of foreigners in Bali found to have been engaging in criminal activities in the province, as well as regular reports of crimes against foreigners.
Foreigners in Bali who have become a victim of a crime are urged to formally report the incident to local police and local pecalang as quickly as possible. Tourists can seek support from their accommodation hosts or call the police at (+62) 110 for general emergencies (+62) 112.
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