The Fiji Police Force continues to focus on strengthening Community Policing initiatives in a bid to further reduce the overall crime rate which for the period of January to October 2022 recorded a reduction of 6%.
And for the month of October 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021, a 9% reduction was also recorded.
Aggravated robbery cases recorded decreases for the 10 month reporting period, sustaining a declining trend noted from May to October.
For the month of October 2022, a total of 25 cases were reported compared to 45 cases reported during the same period in 2021.
QThe tempo of operations focusing on receivers of stolen goods will increase in the coming weeks to counter opportunistic crimes targeting mobile phones, electronic gadgets and other valuable items that could be disposed of quickly in return of a quick dollar this festive season.
Community policing efforts through initiatives such as "Know Your Neighbour" is being promoted throughout the country, in a bid to enhance neighbourhood watch efforts in partnership with Police.
AThe Fiji Police Force will also work towards strengthening community policing efforts to address crimes against women and children.
Crimes against women for the month of October recorded a 23% reduction while crimes against children recorded a 26% increase.
Of the 160 crimes against children cases recorded during the month of October 2022 compared to 118 cases recorded in October 2021, 11% of the cases were domestic related, between parent and child relationships.
The remaining 89% were perpetrated by relatives within domestic settings.
These included cases of sexual offences, assault and other offences.
The Fiji Police Force is doing its best through Community Policing efforts to try and minimize the number of crimes against women and children.
Women and children have the right to feel safe in their own homes, however, based on the statistics of crimes, they are falling victims of crime within domestic settings, perpetrated by people known to them.
With the majority of the cases occurring within domestic settings, the Fiji Police is calling for increased participation from community leaders and groups, civil society, Non-Government organisations and religious groups to understand and identify societal behaviours and factors that contribute to crimes against women and help in identifying preventative measures.