Overall crime rate for October increased by 6%

Concerning statistics have been released by the Fiji Police Force with the overall crime rate for the month of October increased by 6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Police say crimes against children recorded an increase of 39 percent, serious crime increased by 17 percent, crimes against women increased by 0.5 percent, and illicit drug cases registered an increase of 13 percent.

They say the prevalent offences for last month were theft, with 376 cases, assault causing actual bodily harm recorded 286 cases, burglary and aggravated robbery registered 205 cases, unlawful possession of illicit drugs recorded 176 cases and criminal intimidation registered 71 cases.

They further say serious crime increased by 17 percent, sexual offences increased by 32 percent and domestic violence against women and children increased by 42 percent.

They add that cases of robbery and aggravated robbery decreased during the reporting period.