The Fiji Police Force has issued a warning regarding a troubling rise in crimes targeting children. Last month, there was a recorded increase of 25 percent in such offenses, resulting in a total of 138 cases, which included 93 girls and 45 boys.
Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci noted that 54 percent of these cases were sexual offenses, while 33 percent involved assaults, and the remaining 13 percent were categorized as other offenses. He also highlighted that 22 percent of the incidents were related to domestic issues, involving cousins, parent-child relationships, and other relatives.
According to Mr. Raikaci, the surge in crimes against children was primarily attributed to a rise in assault cases from 23 to 35, alongside increases in abductions of minors under 18, from 5 to 22 cases, and sexual assaults, which rose from 7 to 20 cases. Overall, the crime rate in August reflected an eight percent increase compared to the same period last year, with serious crimes increasing by 11 percent, crimes against women rising by four percent, and crimes against children up by 25 percent.
In a related development, five police officers were charged last month with various offenses, including sexual and drug-related crimes, as well as breaches of domestic violence restraining orders. Mr. Raikaci acknowledged that police officers also fall victim to crime, particularly while performing their duties, with 25 cases of serious assaults on officers reported, along with instances of obstruction and resisting arrest.
He affirmed that policing presents significant challenges, with officers risking their safety regularly while fulfilling their responsibilities to the community.
Concerning drug-related offenses, a total of 143 cases were reported in August, of which 138 were for the unlawful possession of illicit drugs, and five involved the cultivation of such drugs. A total of 135 individuals were charged, including three students, for drug-related offenses.
Mr. Raikaci expressed gratitude for the support from religious and community leaders in fighting crime and emphasized the need for continued collaboration to enhance community safety. He urged the public to report any suspicious activities or crimes through Crime Stoppers at the numbers 919 or 917.