The Fiji Police Force has reported a total of 635 theft incidents for the month of July. Of these, three cases reportedly involved thefts amounting to more than half a million dollars, stemming from a restaurant, a supermarket, and a foreign exchange outlet. Six employees connected to these establishments have been implicated in the thefts.
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew noted that overall crime rates for July saw a significant increase, rising by 52 percent compared to the same time last year and by 17 percent from June. This escalation was primarily linked to theft, assault, and burglary incidents.
In terms of assault, there was a notable rise, with 347 cases reported in July 2024, up from 251 in the same month last year, marking an increase of 96 cases.
Additionally, drug-related offenses have surged, with a 42 percent increase in illegal narcotics cases. This year, 188 drug incidents were reported in comparison to 132 in the previous year.