Public safety in Hungary has deteriorated to a level where people are afraid to leave their homes and it is necessary to strengthen the police force, main opposition Fidesz party leader Viktor Orban said on Thursday.
Orban said recent brutal criminal incidents including the murder of a 14-year-old girl in Kiskunlachaza, 45 kilometres south of Budapest, have brought a turning point in Hungary’s public life.
More police are needed, new police stations must be created and the network of local unit officers must be rebuilt, Orban said. The changes would require around 3 billion forints (about EUR 11.4m), which can be generated by reshuffling resources within the police force, he added.
The Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement said in a statement that a multi-pillar programme has been developed to help areas affected by social conflicts. Under one of these initiatives, local unit officers will be appointed in 130 selected villages to beef up police presence, offer information and take action if necessary, the ministry said.
The financial resources required to implement this programme are available, the ministry added.
