MPUMALANGA police have been urged to stop tampering with crime information and statistics to make their performance look good when they are reviewed.

Community safety, security and liaison MEC Sibongile Manana yesterday said: "The police must record crime incidents correctly because without correct information about the extent of the problem of crime, the government cannot plan appropriately."

Manana was responding to allegations that some police officers did not give case numbers and other relevant information to complainants. At a safety and security imbizo at Ogies in eMalahleni, she urged residents to ensure they are given case numbers when they open cases.

Residents of Phola township told Manana they want their own police station because the one in Ogies was far away and the police were unable to respond immediately to complaints.

They also complained that the police constantly lost dockets and were not providing feedback to complainants on the progress of their cases.

Farm dwellers complained that some police officers treated them like second-class citizens.

Crime investigations head Director Tony Gama said police officers should stop colluding with criminals, and those who do not want to work should leave the service.