Theft, assault causing actual bodily harm and burglary were the three most prevalent offences recorded across Fiji in August, with overall crime increasing by 11 percent compared to the same month last year.
The Fiji Police Force says a total of 352 theft cases were recorded, followed by 230 cases of assault causing actual bodily harm and 157 burglary cases.
Police say theft cases were highest in the Western Division with 134 cases, followed by the North with 98, South with 50, East with 48 and Central with 22.
They say most theft cases involved unattended items and cash, while 36 reports involved the theft of livestock and animals.
The majority of offenders were men aged between 18 and 35 years.
For assault causing actual bodily harm, the Western Division recorded the highest number with 82 cases, followed by South with 57, East with 49 and North with 34.
Most of these cases were domestic-related, with men aged between 18 and 35 years making up the majority of alleged offenders.
Burglary cases were highest in the Southern Division, which recorded 66 of the 157 cases, followed by the Western Division with 58, East with 15, North with 14 and Central with four.
The majority of alleged offenders in burglary cases were also males aged between 18 and 35 years.
Meanwhile, there were 89 cases of unlawful possession of illicit drugs recorded in August, with 36 in the Western Division, 19 in the North, 14 in Central, 13 in South and seven in the East.
Most of the drug-related cases involved marijuana, while a smaller number involved methamphetamine.
Criminal intimidation was also among the top five offences, with 75 cases recorded nationwide.
The Western Division recorded 21 cases, followed by the North with 18, South and East with 17 each, and Central with two.
Despite the year-on-year increase, overall crime in August decreased by six percent compared to July 2026.
Police say operations will increase the tempo of proactive community policing initiatives, with a particular focus on young people aged between 18 and 35 years.
There will also be increased enforcement of minor offences which can often lead to other crimes, alongside proactive crime prevention awareness.
