West New Britain (WNB) Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Peter Barkie remains confident that police operations in 2024 will address and reduce the increased crime rates experienced in the province.
The crime rate in the New Guinea Island province has fluctuated in the transition into 2024, especially in the isolated rural areas.
PPC Barkie stated that mid last year the crime rate was a cause for concern for the authorities in the provincial capital Kimbe town, forcing police reinforcement to assist during the year, which then helped to reduce the crime rate a bit, and he is confident that police in the province with some good support, will minimize criminal activities going forward.
This is because despite a lot of criminals in possession of firearms, there is reinforcements of police firearms and police reserve personnel available to counter and neutralize armed criminals.
Meanwhile, due to the crime rates, the Kimbe Town Police station cell is always overcrowded with detainees. This has resulted in prisoners having to be distributed across Hoskins and Kapore Police stations to make space in the cell.
“Our police units pickup culprits every day to be jailed and the Kimbe Town Police station Cell currently contains 90 to 100 criminals, over the standard limit of 50.”
“We process each criminal and await the court to issue warrant to send to Lakiemata Prison to serve time under the Correctional Service supervision and care, relieving the police cell to be utilized adequately.”
Meanwhile, PPC Barkie remains firm to his duty and confident in the hard work of his police officers to prevail in fighting crime in WNB this year.