IN AN effort to reduce rising crime and road fatalities in the tourist town, Nadi Police have turned to local chiefs and religious leaders for assistance in their campaign to curb escalating crime rates.
Nadi Police Station officer-in-charge Assistant Superintendent Simione Bale said chiefs of Nadi along with the religious leaders were at the police station yesterday for the launch of an innovative community policing campaign in the area.
ASP Bale said the six districts of Nadi were represented by their chiefs, district officials and village headmen.
He said the surge in crime rates and road fatalities in Nadi had prompted police to seek help from community leaders.
"So far, we have recorded a total of 7412 crime cases in Nadi and eight people have died from road accidents compared to six for the same period last year," ASP Bale said.
"The reason for inviting the chiefs and religious leaders are to brief them on the crime rates statistics in Nadi and what role they can play in the fight against crime.
"Since the government is focusing on tourism in Nadi, it is therefore important to work together with all stakeholders in an attempt to reduce crime rates," he said.
Senior assistant roko tui Ba Waisale Manako said the intiative undertaken by police was well received by all the villagers and leaders in the Nadi district.
"Village headmen and district reps have been urged to get effectively involved in the awareness programs with their fellow villagers," Mr Manako said.