KUALA LUMPUR: Police are on extra alert because retrenchments due to the economic crisis may lead to a rise in the national crime index.

"Retrenchments and lay-offs could have possible negative repercussions to the community," said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar after opening the senior officers mess' sports day in Jalan Semarak yesterday.

On another matter, Ismail warned Marginalised People's Network (Jerit) members not to continue with their campaign as they did not have a permit, thus making it an illegal gathering and procession.

"We are monitoring their activities," he said.

Jerit has two groups of cyclists travelling from the north and south of the peninsula which will end with a handing over of a memorandum to Parliament. The campaign began on Nov 29.

Listed in the memorandum are appeals for low-income workers to be protected in times of crisis, the abolition of laws like the Internal Security Act, adequate housing, price controls, a halt to privatising basic amenities and for local council elections to be restored.