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Disturbing crime statistics for October – FBC News

Disturbing crime statistics for October – FBC News

Disturbing crime statistics for October – FBC News

In October, crimes against children increased by 39 percent, with 90 women and 78 men being victims, and 100 percent of perpetrators were men in the family.

As Fiji Police said in a press statement revealing that the overall crime rate has increased by six per cent compared to the same period last year.

Crimes against children increased by 39 percent, serious crimes increased by 17 percent, crimes against women increased by 0.5 percent and the number of recorded cases of illegal drugs increased by 13 percent.

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The most common crimes in October were theft (376), assaults causing actual bodily harm (286), burglary by force of God (205), illegal possession of illegal drugs (176) and intimidation (71).

Crimes against children saw an alarming increase of 39 per cent, of which 64 per cent were sexual offences, 28 per cent were assaults and 8 per cent were other offences.

It said 13 percent had domestic connections and 100 percent of the perpetrators were male family members. The victims were 90 girls and 78 boys.

Crimes against women recorded an increase of 0.5%, of which 85% were assaults, 15% were sexual crimes, 36% were domestic crimes, including 67 in marital/de facto/civil partnership relationships, and 11 were committed by relatives.

Serious crime increased by 17 percent, sexual offenses increased by 32 percent and domestic violence against women and children increased by 42 percent.

The police claim that the number of recorded cases of robbery and aggravated robbery decreased during the reporting period.

It said the increase in the number of recorded cases of illicit drugs was linked to the increase in the South, West and Central divisions.

Of the 181 cases recorded, 176 involved illegal possession of illicit drugs and 5 involved illegal cultivation of illicit drugs.

The majority of cases (160 cases) involved marijuana, 20 cases involved methamphetamine and one case involved cocaine.

A total of four police officers were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, rape and accepting a bribe.

The police add that during the reporting period there were 22 cases of serious assaults on police officers.

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew says that as crimes against women and children continue to increase and occur primarily in domestic settings, Fiji Police will continue to engage with stakeholders to address the root causes of these crimes.

The Acting Commissioner says the increase in the number of drug cases recorded reflects the dynamics of the war on drugs as efforts to disrupt, dismantle and destabilize illicit networks continue with the support of the community.