19% increase in overall crime rate recorded in March

There was a 19 percent increase in the crime rate in March compared to the same period last year.

This was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu during a press conference which he says is part of his intent of ensuring transparency in keeping the public informed on the operations of the Fiji Police Force.

Tudravu says of the 2,006 cases registered, 218 were committed in previous years.

On a positive note, the Commissioner says overall serious crimes recorded an 8 percent decrease, which includes burglary, rape, robbery, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.

Tudravu says there was also a drop in cases of defilement in young people between 13 and 16 years of age.

He says he knows that these figures will be met with some doubts and reservations from certain groups, noting what is happening in the media and social media, however, he is reiterating that these are reported cases and the Fiji Police Force acknowledges that some incidents have not been reported.

He is encouraging the lodging of reports to allow the process of investigations to be conducted.

Tudravu says in other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), crimes against children decreased by 9 percent, while crimes against women increased by one percent.