The Fiji Police Force recorded an overall 18% increase in crime in February , in comparison to the same period in 2024.

The prevalent offence was theft, with cases rising from 276 to 414.

There were three notable cases that registered 77 counts of theft, worth over one hundred and eighty-nine thousand dollars ($189,000) from three business entities.

Additionally, there is a growing trend of cyber-related cases of obtaining financial advantage by deception, with 52 cases, indicating that cyber fraud is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says all these cases were committed in the previous years, but were officially registered in February 2025, a reflection of the growing trust and confidence in police’s investigative abilities.

He adds the CID’s Major Fraud, Anti-money laundering and Cyber task force have charged and produced a number of suspects for cyber-related fraud as more cases are being registered from past years.

Other prevalent crimes that contributed to the 18% increase were; 261 cases of assault causing actual bodily harm, 203 cases in a for unlawful possession of illicit drugs, 159 cases of burglary and aggravated robbery and 112 cases of criminal intimidation.

Also, for the reporting month of February there was an increase in serious crime of 24% and an increase in number of illicit drugs cases registered by 16%.

For Crimes against women and children, there was an 11% reduction.