Minor crimes in city increase sharply

By PETER MIVA
MINOR crimes in Lae increased sharply last month with police recording 257 cases compared to 120 in September.
Metropolitan commander Chief Supt Nema Mondiai was concerned that the increase is posing problems for police, who lack logistics and manpower.
He said these crimes, particularly assaults, were a problem associated with the mentality of people in the community.
People lacked respect for each other, he said, and were taking matters into their own hands when settling disputes.
Thirty people had been arrested and charged. All of the 107 assault cases were from disputes between individuals and groups.
Only 57 cases were recorded in September.
Last month’s figures also showed that there were 48 threat cases compared to 18 in September.
Wilful damage to property increased from 10 in September to 25 last month.
There were also 15 cases of persons being found unlawfully on private properties compared to one case in September.
Only two cases of obstruction and hindering police from their duties were recorded last month, which was lower than the four in September.
There were 37 reported cases of stealing of money under K1,000 compared to 27 cases in September.
Last month’s statistics also showed three cases of persons carrying offensive weapons in public, which was higher than September, where only one case was recorded.
There were only three fighting cases compared to four in September and three false pretence cases compared to two in the previous month.
Being drunk and disorderly cases remained steady with four cases recorded.
There were four cases of spreading false rumours last month compared to three cases in September.
One pornography case was reported last month compared to none in the previous month.