Crime: Tonga's growing problem

Tonga’s continuing upward trend in crime, particularly assaults, is worrying a lot of people. Minister of Police ’Akau’ola, in his annual report for 1968 reveals an increase of 17.5 per cent, for all offences during the year and an increase of 46 per cent, compared to 1966.

Crime figures for 1969 appear to be up as well.

Says the Minister: “There is an immediate need for manpower (for the force), mobility and improved communications, if the crime rate is to be contained and controlled”. Since his report was written extra vehicles have been bought and equipped with two-way radio telephones. Similar equipment now links the Nukualofa headquarters with two outlying stations in Tongatapu.

It has been suggested that the inadequacy of the police force has had somtehing to do with the rise in crime, but Nukualofans are particularly upset with the great rise in the number of assault incidents, ranging in seriousness from murder to common assault. the increase in the consumption of alcohol,” added the Minister, such offences can be expected to rise”.

Another reason for the rise in crime is believed to be the drift to the towns of many young people who fail to find work. The number of young people (aged between 17 and 30) convicted of criminal offences rose, in 1968, to 79 per cent, of the total of 530.

No-one, including ’Akau’ola, knows the answer to this problem.

He concludes his report by saying: “. . . in view of population pressures and economic side effects, it is reasonable to predict a future of continued potential increase of crime”.