Escalating crime rate in province a concern, says official

THE escalating law and order situation in Rabaul, East New Britain, is a concern, says deputy provincial administrator Nicholas Larme.
He said fights in villages and the resettlement areas in Gelegele had affected schools.
Larme said provincial administrator Wilson Matava had instructed the district administrators in Rabaul, Kokopo, Pomio and Gazelle to come up with plans to fix the law and order issues in their districts.
Larme suggested that the restorative justice system be introduced in communities.
This is a system of criminal justice which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.
Larme explained that restorative justice would bring peace and unity and should be driven by officers of the community development, education and lands departments.
He said the fights at the Gelegele settlement were between families.
“We need to look at the root cause,” he said.
“If we look deeper, land is a driving factor.
“Following the 1994 volcanic eruptions, when the ENB government decided to resettle people, the population was smaller compared to now, with several families now living in one small block.”
Larme said the Rabaul administration should provide guidance in terms of policy.
“When we talk about law and order, our perspective must come from the district level,” he said.