18% increase in overall crime rate last month - Tudravu

The overall crime rate increased by 18 percent last month compared to the same period last year.

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu highlighted this while giving an update on February Crime Statistics and Operation Sasamaki at the Fiji Police Force Headquarters this morning.

Operation Sasamaki started on the 1st of March with the determination to destroy, disrupt and dismantle the drug supply chain.

Tudravu says there was a 24 percent increase in serious crime while an increase of 16 percent in illicit drug cases.

The Commissioner says theft is a prevalent offence with cases increasing from 276 to 414.

He says there were three cases that registered 77 counts of theft, worth over $189,000 from three businesses entities.

The Commissioner says there is a growing trend of cyber-related cases of obtaining financial disadvantage by deception.

He says 52 cases were recorded that indicates that cyber-fraud is becoming prevalent.

All these cases were committed in previous years but were registered in February 2025.

Other crimes that contributed to the 18 percent increase include 261 cases of assault causing actual bodily harm, 203 cases of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, 159 cases of burglary and aggravated robbery and 112 cases of criminal intimidation.

A total of 91 sexual offence cases were also recorded.

Stay with us for developments.