CHIKWAWA, Malawi, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Police in Malawi and neighboring Mozambique Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on how the two countries will jointly fight increasing crime across their borders.

The law enforcers from border districts of Chikwawa in Malawi and Doa in Mozambique listed livestock theft, defilement and massive encroachment into Malawi's Lengwe National Park as areas of major concern.

The meeting was held in Malawi and in his remarks, Officer-in Charge for Chikwawa Police Station, Assistant Commissioner of Malawi Police Davie Chingwalu, described the MOU as critical, saying cattle theft was on the increase.

"When criminals steal from here, in Malawi, they flee to the neighboring Mozambique and those who steal from the Mozambique side also flee to Malawi; the increasing cross-border criminal cases are becoming worrisome," said Chingwalu.

"That is why we are here to strengthen the existing cordial relationship amongst ourselves in efforts to end these crimes," said Chingwalu.

Mozambique's Doa Police Commandant Domingos Deves said it was high time the police from the two countries worked together in border patrols to fight cattle rustling and other crimes such as murder and defilement.

On encroachment into Lengwe National Park, the two sides committed themselves to bringing to book all criminals who were depleting the natural resources in the protected area.