29 Jul 2003

38 illegally held guns handed in under Solomon Islands police deadline

6:12 pm on 29 July 2003

38 of an estimated 100 stolen police firearms have been returned to police armouries in Solomon Islands after the intervention force yesterday issued an ultimatum to police to return them in Honiara.

This means the intervention force can start rounding-up police officers known to be in possession of stolen police weapons - most of which are believed to be outside the capital.

Australian Ben McDevitt gave police in Honiara until 10pm local time last night to return guns stolen during the 2000 ethnic tension.

Mr McDevitt, who is an Assistant Commissioner in the Australian Federal Police, was yesterday sworn in as deputy commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police.

He has refused to say whether he has a list of policemen believed to be harbouring guns.

But he has promised offenders they will lose their jobs and face prosecution.