Law enforcement authorities asked the government yesterday to take police officers out of comfortable office jobs so more of them can patrol the streets and improve community safety.

In a dose of self-criticism, the head of the Panhellenic Police Officers Association (POAXIA), Giorgos Kamarinopoulos, told Kathimerini that police officers often ask politicians to secure them jobs off the street.

The police group has invited political leaders to attend their annual meeting, which is scheduled to take place today, so they can voice concerns on various issues.

Greece has one of the lowest crime rates in the EU but the numbers are rising. According to the Public Order Ministry, there were 2,339 cases of theft from homes last year, some 250 more than 2003.

Kamarinopopulos added that the State should also be more stringent in appointing private police guards since vital manpower is lost when officers are assigned to protect a range of VIPs, including journalists and former politicians.