Crime Rate Down By Six Per Cent In West: Police
West achieved only two of six key performance indicators – reduction in overall crime rate and crimes against women.
The overall crime rate is down by six per cent in the Western Division from January to June this year compared to the same period last year, says the Fiji Police Force.
This was confirmed on Friday by Senior Superintendent of Police and director strategic planning, policy, research and development, Aporosa Lutunauga, during the National Crime Board Symposium in Nadi.
He told delegates at the symposium that they were able to achieve two of its six key performance indicators (KPIs) – the reduction in overall crime rate by six per cent and reduction in crimes against women by 15 per cent.
Mr Lutunauga said their vigorous community campaigning and awareness plus the repeated calls to address these issues in the community level by the Government ministers and ministry officials had a significant impact.
“We recorded a decline in the crimes committed against women by 15 per cent and we achieved the overall reduction in crime by six per cent. In 2016 (January-June) crimes against women was 1721 but 1455 was recorded for the same period in 2017,” Mr Lutunauga said.
“Overall crime reported in 2016 (JanuaryJune) was 10,201, but 9570 cases were reported for the same period this year. Despite these achievements Mr Lutunauga said: “More advocacy on awareness and education against the ill-treatment of the minority is needed.”
The six KPIs are to reduce overall crime by 10 per cent; reduce serious crimes by 10 per cent; reduce crime against women by 10 per cent; reduce crimes against children by 10 per cent; detection rate above 70 per cent; and reduce road fatalities by 30 per cent.
It was also highlighted that rape, drugs and defilement of girls between the ages of 13 and 16 were three major crimes recorded in the West this year from January to June. “Ba recorded the highest number of rape cases standing at 92 cases out of the 155,” Mr Lutunauga said.
In 2016 there were 88 rape and attempted rape cases in total recorded for the West; this year it jumped to 155, he said.
There were four cases on defilement of girls between the ages of 13 and 16 last year, Mr Lutunauga said, but this increased to 19 this year.
“Drug cases also increased. In 2016, 55 cases were recorded but 155 cases were recorded in the same period this year.”
Holistic, Mr Lutunauga said the participation of community crime prevention committees and stakeholders would also help reduce the crime rate further.