Residents of Stage One in Cunningham, opposite the Cunningham Community Post, are living in fear and feeling unsafe in their own neighbourhood after repeated thefts and robberies in the area.
A resident, who wishes to remain anonymous told fijivillage News that her home has been broken into three times, and she now avoids carrying her phone, handbag or money whenever she leaves the house because she fears being robbed.
She says she spends most of the day inside her home with the doors locked until her son returns from work, speaking to neighbours through the window because she is too afraid to go outside.
Insert: Resident on theft issue, 14th Aug 26
Residents say homes have been broken into repeatedly, vehicles parked along the roadside have been targeted and crops, including cassava, have been stolen from plantations.
Another family reported household items, including a refrigerator, mattress, television stand and solar equipment, were stolen.
Residents also say people have been robbed while walking along the road, with the robbers using nearby roads to escape.
They say many of the incidents have been reported to Police, but they are frustrated because they feel there has been little follow-up after the initial reports.
Another resident says thieves entered her home while the family was away and on another occasion while they were sleeping.
She says the repeated thefts forced her to close the family's canteen after business items were stolen.
Residents are now calling on the Government and the Fiji Police Force to increase patrols, particularly at night, and install more streetlights, saying poorly lit roads make it easier for criminals to operate.
An officer at the Cunningham Community Post told fijivillage News that the post is a community-based police facility and is responsible for receiving reports from residents before referring criminal matters to the larger police stations.
The officer says serious criminal cases are referred to the Valelevu and Nabua Police Stations, which are responsible for carrying out investigations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe says officers are expected to take the initial reports and make referrals to the larger police stations.
He says Cunningham is supported by patrols from the Valelevu and Nabua Police Stations.
ACP Vusonilawe says the concerns raised by residents regarding patrols will also be looked into.
He is also urging anyone with complaints about police conduct to contact the Police complaints line on 1681.
