Overall crime statistics for 2017 decreased by 9% - Police

The overall crime statistics for 2017 decreased by 9% in comparison with 2016.

While announcing the crime statistics, Police Director of Planning SSP Aporosa Lutunauga says crimes against women decreased by 14%.

He says the crimes against children reduced by 12%.

SSP Lutunauga says there was a decrease of 3% in serious crimes however they were targeting 10%.

He adds there was a reduction in complaints and disciplinary offences against disciplined service officers by 3%, however, they were targeting 50%.

SSP Lutunauga says there was a 17% increase in road fatalities in comparison to 2016.

The total number of cases that were registered last year was 20,565 and of this 2,412 cases were from between 1997-2016.

Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho says the 2017 policing landscape has had its fair share of external and internal challenges however despite these hurdles they have managed to reduce the overall crime rate by 9%.

He says the government, the people of Fiji and their international partners have all played an instrumental role in helping achieve the 9% decrease.

Qiliho admits that they still have work to do in gaining everyone’s support in fighting crime.