Statement

The Fiji Police Force’s 2022 Annual Crime Key Performance Overall Crime Indicator (KPI) recorded a 7% reduction, largely attributed to the support of all Fijians and law enforcement partners through various Community Policing efforts.

The Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has acknowledged with sincere gratitude the support of the general populace, Government, stakeholders and law enforcement partners in working with Police through various arms of proactive policing under the Duavata Community Policing initiative in achieving the overall reduction in crime in 2022 operational year.

While more detailed information will be released in the Fiji Police Force’s 2022 Annual Report, the Commissioner of Police says it is only right to acknowledge the support of all partners and stakeholders for the results achieved in the past year, in the hope of maintaining the same momentum in 2023.

The show of support over the years is also reflected in the annual five-year trend recording a steady decline from 2017 to 2021.

Brigadier General Qiliho said Police cannot fight crime alone, and with the support of all Fijians, Government, civil society, religious groups and regional and international law enforcement partners, a lot has been achieved in strengthening policing approaches with the intent of reducing overall crime.

The 2022 policing year has been a busy one, where the Fiji Police Force has been focused on health security, overall national security operations with the hosting of regional and international meetings and the year ending with the conduct of the National General Elections and festive season.

The proactive policing posture adopted during the month of December has also resulted in the overall reduction of crime by 16%.

The 42% increase in the number of illicit drugs cases registered, is a reflection of the joint efforts between police and the community in tackling the illegal drug trade.

However, there are still concerns on a few crimes which recorded increases within the Divisions during the month of December.

The Southern Division recorded increases in reports of rape and attempted rape of 19 cases compared to 5 in 2021 and increase of reports of defilement of young persons between 13-16 years of 2 cases compared to 0 in 2021.

Theft of motor vehicle also recorded an increase with 3 cases last year compared to 0 in 2021.

The Western Division recorded an increase in murder cases recording 3 in 2022 compared to 1 in 2021, increase in aggravated robberies recording 9 compared to 6, increase in arson and setting fire to crop cases from 0 in 2021 to 2 in 2022 and theft of motor vehicle recording 5 cases compared to 0 in 2021.

The Eastern Division recorded increases in rape and attempted rape cases from 0 in 2021 to 7 in 2022, increase in aggravated robbery cases from 1 in 2021 to 7 in 2022, and increases in burglary and theft of motor vehicle cases.

The Northern Division recorded increases in burglary cases of 17 in 2022 compared to 8 in 2021.

The Central Division recorded increases in theft of motor vehicle of 3 cases last year compared to 1 for the previous year.

The Commissioner of Police says Divisional Police Commanders (DPC) through their respective Planning teams will work on strengthening Community Policing initiatives through their Divisional Manager Community Policing (DMCP) to focus on proactive measures targeting the offences of concern.

“Crimes against women and children remains a major concern for policing and based on the trends, the Southern and Northern Divisions recorded increases in cases, and this is where we are going to focus our attention going forward and look at ways to strengthen existing partnerships with stakeholders, civil society and religious groups to address these crimes”.

“We cannot fight crime alone and need everyone’s support. We are determined on strengthening existing working partnerships and forge new ones for the sake of building safer communities for all”.