FIJI noted a 23 per cent increase in criminal cases in January 2025, compared with the same period last year.
This was shared by Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu in a media conference at the Fiji Police Force headquarters in Suva yesterday.
Mr Tudravu updated members of the media about crime trends last month, as well as plans to curb illicit activity around the country.
He said of the 1707 crime cases registered during January, 430 were committed in previous months or years.
“Serious crimes recorded a 13 per cent increase, crimes against women increased by 8 per cent and crimes against children increased by 9 per cent,” he said.
“A 2 per cent increase in the number of illicit drug cases was recorded.”
Theft dominated the list of offences during the month and Mr Tudravu also expressed worry about the number of theft incidences involving crops.
“The prevalent offence during January was theft, as cases rose from 279 to 420. Contributing factors were theft of crops and increase in fraud and cyber-related offences.
“There is also a growing trend of cyber-related financial deception and multiple reports linked to financial transactions through mobile services.”
He said other prevalent offences for the month of January were assault, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, burglary and aggravated robbery and criminal intimidation.
However, he has reassured members of the public that the police was committed to improving service delivery and regaining the trust and confidence of fellow Fijians.
“I ask that we be given time to turn things around and assure members of the public of our commitment to uplifting professionalism and improving responsiveness, through the proposed reforms, ensuring integrity and professionalism in the execution of our duties.
“We have waited a long time to get back to the real business of policing, and I want to reassure members of the community of our collective will towards winning back the trust and confidence of our fellow Fijians.”
