PETALING JAYA: You may have heard about petrol stations and convenience stores locking their doors at night to prevent robberies and to ensure the safety of their staff.

Surprisingly, a similar predicament is faced by a police station in Sibu, Sarawak, reported See Hua Daily News yesterday.

According to the report, the main gate of the Lanang police station was being locked at night due to several previous “attacks”.

Sibu Police Chief ACP Saiful Bahari Abdullah told the daily that there was an incident where a drunk motorist plowed through the front gate of the station.

There were also two other incidents where criminals had thrown stones and firecrackers at the station from outside.

“However, personnel will still be on duty at the station.

“The gate will only be unlocked if complainants want to lodge a report,” Saiful Bahari was quoted as saying.

Bukit Assek Assemblyperson Irene Chang recently pointed out that she had received complaints that the Lanang police station was not open for service to the public round the clock.

She said in a recent case, a man had gone there to lodge a report after losing his motorcycle but had to go elsewhere as the Lanang police station was dark and locked up.

According to Saiful Bahari, the station which also houses General Operations Force (GOF) personnel, is 40 years old and has poor lighting.

The station was opened in 2004. From January this year till last Sunday, 3,320 reports had been lodged there.