Outstanding warrants to be issued

POLICE in East New Britain will execute more than 100 outstanding National Court bench warrants over the festive period and have accused people who absconded court appearances to face court.
Provincial police commander Senior Inspector Joseph Tabali said that on Monday as he outlined police operation plans for the Christmas and New Year period.
“As part of our festive season’s operations, we will execute more than 100 outstanding National Court bench warrants,” Tabali said.
“Bench warrants are orders given by the court for the arrest of offenders who fail to appear in court for various reasons.
“We have outstanding bench warrants dating back to 2014 that we will be executing.
“I call on guarantors of offenders who have absconded court hearings and who are issued bench warrants to ask them to surrender to authorities.
“We have their details so we will still find them.”
Tabali said 300-plus police personnel would be involved in operations throughout the four districts of the province (Kokopo, Rabaul, Gazelle and Pomio).
He said police would conduct random road-checks, motorised patrols, footbeats and raids on suspected areas where criminals and escapees were believed to be hiding.
“I urge people in the province to celebrate in the confines of their homes with family members and stay out of trouble,” Tabali said.
“Anyone who comes out on the road and creates problem will be dealt with by police,” he said.
Tabali said Christmas and New Year were times for people to examine their own lives and not to get into problems.