Provincial Police Commander for New Ireland, Superintendent Albert Beli is concerned about the increase in the migration of people into the province noting that the increase can lead to an increase in crime.
Beli, said the crime rate in New Ireland is manageable compared to other provinces he served in as Provincial police head, as locals take ownership of law and order issues in the province.
He said that community leaders and the people take responsibility for law and order as it is part of their daily livelihood, thus they partake in actively reporting and conducting citizens arrests, encouraging policing in the province.
“My concern is with the increasing number of migrants coming in from East and West New Britain and settling into communities. People have been crossing over from Kokopo into Namatanai and travel up the highway to settle in New Ireland.
“This is likely to have a negative impact as most of them turn to informal sectors for survival which is bound to create social issues as well.”
Beli added that one of his policing strategies to address the influx of people coming in from other provinces is to work hand in hand with community leaders to locate, identify and keep track of these people.
He said community leaders know their people better so it will be their responsibility to take stock of their people and the migrants who are living with them.