The Fiji Police Force reported a total of 635 theft incidents in July. Among these, three cases involved thefts exceeding half a million dollars, with multiple offenses linked to a restaurant, supermarket, and a foreign exchange outlet. Six employees from these establishments were implicated in the thefts, which amounted to over half a million dollars.
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew stated that the overall crime rate for July saw a significant rise of 52 percent compared to the previous year and an increase of 17 percent from June. This surge was attributed to rising incidents of theft, assault, and burglary.
In terms of assaults, there was an increase of 96 cases, with 347 incidents reported in July 2024, up from 251 in the same month last year. Additionally, there was a 42 percent rise in drug-related offenses, with 188 cases recorded this July compared to 132 cases the previous year.