The overall crime rate for the first six months of this year recorded a 13% decrease.

This has been confirmed by the Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew who says that there were 7,605 cases received compared to 8,774 for the same period last year.

He adds that the drop in the overall crime rate in the first six months of the year was because of the support they got from communities, crime prevention stakeholders, and law enforcement partners.

Fong-Chew says the Force understands that there are unreported cases, which is why they are prioritizing community policing operations to encourage people to come forward and report crimes.

He says offenses against property which include aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, burglary, theft, and robbery recorded decreases for the first 6-month period.

Fong Chew says they want to reiterate that all concerns raised about service delivery are taken seriously and they have put in place measures and strategies to curb property offenses.

He says these measures include snap checkpoints, increased visibility with foot and mobile patrols, random checks, clearance of towns and cities of people found loitering and working with stakeholders to address the issue of young children loitering and street dwellers.

Fong Chew says they are also setting up tents in known red spot areas in towns and cities, utilizing technology by partnering with business communities and the use of CCTV capabilities and strengthening community policing operations and community outreach programs by setting up Crime Prevention Committees.

He says by bringing community policing to the forefront, they are placing greater emphasis on community partnerships for a collaborative approach towards crime prevention.

The Police Commissioner also stated that the recent concerns raised about safety in Suva have been brought to their attention, and they want to reassure the public that operations were re-postured last month, leading to a decrease in reported crimes in the capital city.

He says for May, 17 cases of theft were reported, and after re-posturing their operations, there was a reduction of 6 cases, whereby 9 cases were recorded.