Crime rate increasing due to lack of police presence: Leader

A LACK of police presence in the Morobe local level government of Huon Gulf has seen a hike in crimes over the recent months, according to a ward official.
Ward 14 Dona village recorder Inonase Gumar said after police withdrew from there, crimes such as murder, arson, grievous bodily harm and wounding were on the rise. “Many of the suspects in relation to these major crimes are roaming freely, they are posing a huge threat to the community,” Gumar said.
He said police personnel posted at the Morobe Patrol Post rural police station had vacated the area due to no transportation and lack of basic services.
“Major crimes are committed at free will by the criminals andK7.3mil lost to violence it seems they do not care about the law,” Gumar said.
“Consumption of homebrew and marijuana is on the rise and that is the main cause of major crimes.”
He appealed to the police in Lae to help so that criminals and suspects could be rounded up.
Morobe police commander Supt Jacob Singura said police were trying their best to ensure policing services were available where law and order was a concern.
“With the Police Department not recruiting for some years now, unfortunately, we cannot be always there and everywhere, but we have been trying our best to make sure we carry out our mandated duties,” Supt Singura said.
He said at the command in the province were fewer than 200 police personnel.
Morobe rural commander Chief Insp John Daviaga said shortages in police personnel would be addressed when the province recruited reservists.