Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 8 July, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a report on the ongoing efforts to prevent crime in local communities (mahallas) and to strengthen the rule of law.

The presentation summarized the results of tasks outlined in the President’s first decree of the year, dated January 3, which prioritized proactive prevention of offenses at the mahalla level for law enforcement agencies.

To effectively implement this directive, responsible officials were assigned to mahallas with elevated crime levels. Over the past six months, a system of social prevention was introduced in various regions based on individualized "roadmaps," allowing for a more targeted approach to each community. Simultaneously, public monitoring systems were digitized, and academic resources from specialized universities were engaged. Emphasis was placed on crime prevention among minors, youth, women, and within families and domestic relations.

As a result of these efforts, no crimes were reported in 5,200 mahallas. However, some areas still face persistent criminal challenges. The President stressed the need to enhance the roles of prevention inspectors, criminal investigators, patrol units, and security services, underscoring that every mahalla must become a crime-free zone. A key objective remains the decentralization of the entire prevention and response system to the community level.

Special attention was given to combating the illegal drug trade, particularly among young people. Despite ongoing efforts such as dismantling drug labs and destroying narcotics, the issue remains pressing. The President emphasized the expanded use of video surveillance and artificial intelligence technologies to detect distribution networks and eliminate sources of threat.

Cybercrime was highlighted as one of the most urgent modern challenges, accounting for 42% of all reported offenses since the beginning of 2025. The effective implementation of the presidential decree from 30 April 2025, aimed at enhancing measures to prevent cybercrimes, raising public awareness, and ensuring user and payment system security, is expected to play a crucial role.

In this context, the President instructed the modernization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Academy. Plans include increasing enrollment, opening new training specializations, and introducing elements of dual education. Academic programs will be adapted to address current threats, and efforts will be made to improve the physical and psychological readiness of personnel.

The importance of close coordination between the internal affairs system, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies was emphasized. Criminal trends are analyzed daily, targeted oversight is carried out, causes of offenses are examined, and preventive measures are developed. Efforts are also underway to socially rehabilitate individuals who have served sentences or are under supervision.

Following the meeting, additional tasks were defined to strengthen inter-agency coordination, enable swift responses, identify root causes of crime, and achieve a sustainable reduction in criminal activity. The President noted that maintaining public order, ensuring compliance with the law, and guaranteeing peace in the country are essential conditions for economic development and improving citizens' quality of life.