There has been a 13% reduction in the overall crime rate for the first 7-months of this year but cases of people failing to comply with orders about COVID-19 safe measures continue to be an issue.
Police say partnerships with the community, faith-based organisations, business operators, non-government organisations, civil society, private and public entities, regional and international law enforcement and support from the government have all contributed to the reduction in the overall crime rate.
Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho says a 15% reduction of overall crime could have been registered if it had not been for the high number of failure to comply with orders cases.
He says serious crimes also recorded a decrease of 3% while crimes against women and children recorded an 11% and 2% reduction respectively.
Qiliho adds a major 56% decrease was also recorded for the number of illicit drugs cases for the first 7-months of this year.
The Police Commissioner says the focus is now on maintaining the reduction, particularly with serious crimes, crimes against women and children and drugs.
Qiliho says he recognizes the fact that there is room for improvement and these numbers can be reduced further.
He also acknowledged the efforts put in by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu and all members of the institution during the 7-month reporting period.
