Albania halves police force

ALBANIA intends to cut its police force nearly in half this year in an effort to make it more effective in fighting increasing crime, the interior ministry said yesterday. Spokesman Artan Bizhga said around 8,000 posts out of a police staff of 17,500 would be axed by October.

At least 84 policemen have been killed in the past year. Around 60 police officers from Western countries have been in Albania since last year training the local force. - Reuters, Tirana