The governor of Papua New Guinea's Madang Province is blaming the unemployed and squatters for an upsurge in crime,
This has prompted the provincial government to ban the sale of alcohol, evict some squatters while considering a curfew.
It comes after an attack last week on a 70-year old foreign woman who was a long-time resident in Madang town.
The Governor, Sir Arnold Amet, says the special measures are needed.
"People are moving into urban centres looking for opportunities, such as possible employment and just looking for possible employment and opportunities. They are a transient group of people who move in and out and we really don't have a lot of control over that."
Sir Arnold Amet says officials will be gathering census data in the squatter settlements to find out who's residing there legally.
He says those that are there illegally and unemployed will be asked to return to their villages.
