Rise in vandalism, theft of properties alarms Lae police

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By JUNIOR UKAHA
LAE Met Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr is concerned about an increase in vandalism and theft of public properties in the city.
Wagambie said government-installed solar street lights in many parts of the city had their  panels removed. The lights were put up by the Lae District Development Authority and initiated by local MP Loujaya Kouza.
“All the street lights and the solar panels have been removed along the Back Road all the way up towards Tent City,” he said.
“The road from Eriku to Kamkumung is the same.
“These utilities were installed at very high cost for the benefit of the public.”
Wagambie warned vandals and thieves that police were devising a strategy to deal with them.
“Police will be embarking on another strategy to try to curb these. We will be engaging a section of the community to work in partnership to assist in reporting these to police.”
Wagambie said high unemployment in the city was one factor that forced people to look for opportunities to steal.