POLICE Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has raised concerns about the increase in crimes against women and children in the North, saying sexual offences are driving the rise.
Mr Tudravu said the North was the only division that recorded an increase in crime against women and children, and most of the cases involved sexual offences happening in settlements.
“There seems to be a prevalence of this here. In the last few years, we have seen that these offences mostly happen in settlements. That’s where these things are happening,” he said.
He said some of the most disturbing cases happened in family homes.
“These are emotional offences and goes right back to the social fabric of our society. Some incidents are committed at home.
“So, I’m calling for parental guidance, we need to strengthen how we look after our children, especially with offences committed in the home.”
While sexual offences had increased, he said serious crimes had decreased.
“I’m happy we also have a drop in serious crime. That was intentional, we wanted that drop,” he said.
He said the force would continue working to protect vulnerable groups and ensure safer communities in the North.
