Overall crime decreases by 18%, assault, indecent assault, and sexual offences remain a concern - Tudravu

The overall crime decreased by 18 percent for the months of August, September and October as there were 4,049 crime cases reported during this period, compared to 4,960 cases, for the same period last year.

However while making this announcement, Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says the number of domestic related cases, such as assault, indecent assault, and sexual offences, remain a concern.

The divisions that recorded decreases in the crime rate were the Southern, Western, Eastern, and Central divisions, while the Northern division recorded an increase of 3 percent.

Tudravu says during this same reporting period, serious crime recorded a 35 percent decrease, with all five divisions recording decreases.

He says he knows these figures will be met with much debate, which is why they will be sharing the more detailed breakdown of where the reductions were reflected.

The Commissioner says for crimes against women, there was an overall decrease of 10 percent, and a 34 percent decrease in crimes against children.

Tudravu says in relation to the number of illicit drug cases, there was a 30 percent decrease, when compared to the same period last year. He says the reductions are due to the tough approach adopted when Operation Sasamaki was launched in March, and up until today.

The Commissioner says Of the 334 cases, 299 were related to unlawful possession, 33 for unlawful cultivation and 2 for unlawful importation.

Operation Sasamaki continues in all five divisions, and they will review the operations at the end of every month.