THE first-ever Northern Crime Prevention carnival has been hailed a success with more than 5000 people present at Subrail Park last week.
Northern Crime Prevention committee chairman Parmod Chand said the positive response from the public showed they had embraced the community policing program.
"This is the first-ever crime prevention carnival in Fiji and we are really thankful that people have shown their tremendous support to a worthy cause," Mr Chand said.
"People have understood the importance of crime prevention and I believe they will effectively work with the police to control crime in their communities.
"I have received a lot of positive feedback from people who have thanked us for organising an informative and meaningful carnival."
Mr Chand conveyed his gratitude to the public for their support, saying the carnival wouldn't have been a success without them.
"We will continue to host bigger and better carnivals in the coming years as we work towards increasing awareness on crime prevention. It's all about working hand in hand to create a safer and secure northern economy."
Northn community policing officer Inspector Malakai Raceva said it was great to see the overwhelming support from the public.
"There are a lot of people I meet on the streets who have thanked the carnival committee for organising such a worthy event," he said.
"It's encouraging to see the support from crime prevention committees from districts in the north and they are also looking forward to a bigger and better carnival in the future."
Plans are also in progress to send the reigning Northern Crime Prevention carnival queen, Miss Taveuni Irene Mary Kumar, in the upcoming two-week school break to visit villages on the Garden Island as part of the community policing program.