645 cases of theft recorded for May 2024

There were 645 cases of theft recorded for May 2024, other prevalent cases were Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm with 253 cases, Burglary and Aggravated Robbery with 178 cases, Unlawful Possession of Illicit Drugs recording 127 cases and Criminal Intimidation with 87 cases.

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew says the contributing factor in the increase in Overall Crime was linked to the three cases of theft recording multiple counts.

Chew says one case of theft from the Southern Division involved the theft of approximately $47,000 from a major supermarket chain whereby the accused was charged with 91 counts of theft.

He says in the second report recorded in the Western Division, a large retail company employee allegedly stole approximately $2,391.05 and was charged with 22 counts of theft.

Chew says the third report also recorded in the Western Division involved the theft of approximately $11,000 from an industrial product distribution company, whereby the accused was charged with 100 counts of theft.

The Acting COMPOL says the 127 cases of unlawful possession of illicit drugs were recorded, mainly for marijuana which registered 95 cases.

He says concerted efforts on the war on drugs by all law enforcement stakeholders resulted in a 3 percent increase in the number of illicit drugs cases registered with 31 cases were related to methamphetamine and 1 case linked to cocaine.

A/CP Chew further stated that policing efforts are being heightened through a Special Operation called “Ops Yavirau” currently underway throughout the five policing divisions with the intent of disrupting and destabilising criminal elements and mitigating drug related offences, while at the same time ensuring collaborative targeted community policing initiatives are carried out between the Police and stakeholders.

From the 127 registered cases, 141 people were charged, where in some instances one report registered more than one accused person.

Of the 172 registered cases for Crimes against women, 92 percent were assault-related offences and 8 percent sexual offences.

He says there was an overall 9 percent reduction in crime when compared to April, 2024 the previous month.

The Acting COMPOL says when comparing May 2024 to the same period in May 2023, a 30 percent increase was noted in overall crime.

He says subsequent reductions were also recorded in Serious Crime by 18%, crimes against women by 12% and crimes against children by 3%.

49 were domestic related where the perpetrator was a spouse or in a defacto/partner relationship.

Crimes against children recorded 106 cases where 82 victims were girls and 24 boys.

Of the recorded cases, 65% were sexual offences, 23% were assault related and 12% linked to other offences.

23 cases were domestic related involving parent-child relationship.

Keeping in line with the intent of ensuring the fair and transparent handling of reports against Police officers, three (3) Police officers were charged for cases of falsification of documents, assault causing actual bodily harm and rape, as per independent legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Acting Commissioner of Police said there was a decline in the overall crime rate for the month of May, compared to the increase recorded over the past four months.