Rise in juvenile cases prompts Police awareness

Police to start afresh this year, with visits to 184 schools.

The rise in juvenile cases has prompted the Fiji Police Force to visit secondary schools across the country through its Scholastic Crime Stoppers Programme, this year.

It aims to help students understand the law and regulations, rights and responsibilities and ways to reduce criminal acts and victimisation on or near school property.

This work is a collaboration between Police and the Ministry of Education.

It came to a halt when COVID19 hit the country, resulting in the rise of minor cases.

Crimestoppers National Co-ordinator, Inspector Sainimili Turaga, said they started afresh again this year, with visits to 184 schools. These include 33 schools in the Eastern Division, 42 in the Southern Division, 42 in the Northern Division, 61 in the Western Division and six in the Central Division. “From the 184 secondary schools we have completed all phases of the programme to 49 secondary schools throughout all divisions,” she said. “We are fortunate that we have started with Gau Secondary School and completed the first and second phases.

“That is the first for this year and last week we attended a rebadging at Korovuto College.”

Feedback came from the respective schools’ principals who appreciated the implementation.

“They can see dramatic changes in the decrease of indiscipline cases faced by students themselves,” she said.

“Students are more responsible and realise the importance of dos and don’ts.”

Inspector Turaga said students board had played a vital role in ensuring that no crimes were committed in their schools.