Four police officers have been charged with serious offenses, including assault causing actual bodily harm, rape, and corruption. This situation has drawn attention to the overall crime rate reported by the Fiji Police Force for October.
During this month, police noted 22 cases of serious assaults involving officers. A significant portion of crime reports was related to drug-related offenses, with 160 cases involving marijuana, 20 involving methamphetamine, and one involving cocaine.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the alarming increase in crimes against children, which rose by 39 percent. Among those incidents, 64 percent were classified as sexual offenses, with the remaining cases related to assault and other crimes. Notably, 100 percent of the perpetrators in these situations were male family members. The statistics revealed that among the victims, there were 90 girls and 78 boys.
Crimes against women saw a slight increase as well, with a reported rise of 0.5 percent. Here, 85 percent of the offenses were assault-related, and 36 percent involved domestic contexts.
In contrast, some types of crime demonstrated a decline. Instances of robbery and aggravated robbery decreased during the reporting period, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the troubling statistics.
The acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, emphasized that many of the increases in crimes against women and children occurred within domestic environments. To combat this troubling trend, he stated that the Fiji Police Force would continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to address the root causes of these crimes.
Chew mentioned the ongoing efforts in the fight against illicit drug trafficking, asserting that the rise in drug-related cases is indicative of the police’s commitment to destabilizing these networks with community support. He also highlighted that recent initiatives, particularly those surrounding the festive season operation, are aimed at fostering cooperation for safer communities.
While the overall crime rates present a worrying picture, the proactive response from law enforcement and community stakeholders indicates a strong commitment to addressing these serious issues in Fiji. Collaborative efforts moving forward can help create a safer environment for all citizens, signaling hope for the future.
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