About 100 mobile police and special taskforce members will begin patrolling the streets of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea in a bid to combat rising crime in the area.
The move follows a public meeting of business and community leaders in the former capital of East New Britain, after a series of attacks by youths armed with bushknives and slingshots.
Property has been destroyed, businesses have been looted and there was a hold up and attempted rape at a service station.
The provincial police commander, Allan Kundi, has promised to beef up the police presence in Rabaul as soon as possible.
Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce and the Rabaul Urbal Local Level Government have agreed the operation by providing two vehicles.
Rabaul mayor Ephraim Jubilee says petty crime has been an ongoing problem.
