The Fiji Police Force says serious crime rates have declined this year despite recent public criticism over aggravated robberies and burglaries, with Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu calling for a nationwide approach to tackling the causes of crime.
Mr Tudravu said Police accepted criticism of its operations following several high-profile incidents and was adjusting strategies to ensure responses were proactive rather than reactive.
Police statistics for January to July 2026 show burglary declined by 7.3 per cent, robbery by 32.8 per cent, aggravated robbery by 17.8 per cent, aggravated burglary by 7.7 per cent and theft by 7.9 per cent compared with the same period last year.
However, motor vehicle theft increased from 31 cases during the first seven months of 2025 to 51 this year.
Overall crime declined by 11 per cent, from 11,387 cases in January-July 2025 to 10,106 during the corresponding period this year.
“The posture and strategies adopted by operations for the first six months has resulted in the reduction in these crimes,” Mr Tudravu said.
He acknowledged the figures could be met with scepticism amid recent cases attracting significant public attention.
“While this will be met with scepticism, the Fiji Police Force accepts constructive criticism to avoid predictable policing patterns that may be exploited by offenders,” he said.
Mr Tudravu said arrests alone would not provide a lasting solution and called for greater attention to why people repeatedly committed crimes.
“The why factor. This is where we need to also focus our attention as a nation,” he said.
“We have individuals coming into the system who are habitual offenders with multiple theft or burglary cases, which begs two critical questions, why and what can be an effective deterrent?”
Mr Tudravu also acknowledged the value of CCTV footage in investigations but rejected suggestions Police only responded after videos appeared on social media.
He called for discussions on stronger deterrents and alternatives for people who had developed what he described as a worrying reliance on crime to earn a living.
“Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr Tudravu said.
