The Fiji Police Force has reported a total of 635 theft cases for the month of July. Among these cases, three incidents are particularly significant, with losses exceeding half a million dollars. These cases involved thefts from a restaurant, a supermarket, and a foreign exchange outlet, and implicated six employees associated with these establishments.
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew indicated that the overall crime rate for July rose by 52 percent compared to the same month in 2023, and saw an increase of 17 percent from June. This surge is primarily linked to theft, assault, and burglary incidents.
In terms of assaults, there was a notable rise, with 347 cases reported in July 2024, an increase of 96 cases from 251 in the same month last year.
Additionally, drug-related offenses recorded an increase of 42 percent, with 188 instances reported this July compared to 132 during the same period in the previous year.