Dialogue Fiji raise concern about crime decrease claims by Police, Tudravu demands evidence of statement

Dialogue Fiji has expressed serious concern over the recent announcement by the Fiji Police Force claiming a 14 percent decrease in overall crime and a 1 percent reduction in serious crime so far this year saying the public reaction to these statistics suggests a significant disconnect between official data and lived realities on the ground.

Executive Director Nilesh Lal says there is widespread surprise and scepticism among the public, with many sharing anecdotal evidence that appears to indicate the opposite trend that crime, particularly theft, burglary, drug-related offences, and violent crime, is in fact rising in many communities.

Lal says that findings from Dialogue Fiji’s nationwide survey conducted in April 2025 align with these concerns. He says in their research, an overwhelming majority of respondents identified crime and public safety as one of the most pressing issues in the country.

He adds that the prominence of crime in everyday conversation and the media is difficult to reconcile with the police’s claims of declining crime. Lal says we must ask whether the apparent decline in reported crime is a sign that people are no longer reporting incidents.

He says if members of the public believe that nothing will be done, they may simply stop going to the police, and that is a deeply troubling indicator - not of progress, but of growing disillusionment with law enforcement and justice systems.

Dialogue Fiji is calling for a more transparent and accountable approach to crime data reporting, including independent audits, better disaggregation of data, and direct engagement with civil society to address perception gaps.

Lal says if we want to build a safer and more cohesive society, we must confront both the reality of crime and the erosion of public confidence because suppressing or spinning the data will only deepen the problem.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has called on Lal to provide evidence that the Fiji Police Force may be suppressing or spinning crime statistics data.

While replying to fijivillage News, Tudravu says this is a serious claim, undermining law enforcement efforts as well as the immense contribution of community and religious leaders, groups and civil society that have been working in partnership with Police through various Crime Prevention efforts throughout the 5 policing divisions.

He says the Police are reporting the crime statistics as per reported cases, which shows the reduction, and they have always acknowledged that there may be unreported cases.

He adds a number of the reports lodged during the reporting period were offences that took place in previous months, and officers were able to investigate and charge the offenders.

Tudravu says they acknowledge that there is work to be done in restoring public trust and confidence in various aspects of policing, and this is his intent since taking up the role of Commissioner.