Fiji's new police commissioner, Andrew Hughes of Australia, has come under strong criticism for his statement that the crime rate in the country is one of the lowest by world standards.
Mr Hughes had also blamed the media for creating fear by sensationalising its coverage of criminal activities.
The Fiji Labour party says the new commissioner is yet to come to grips with the reality and the enormity of the crime situation in the country.
The party's general secretary, Lekh Ram Vyashnoi, has told Radio Fiji that Mr Hughes' comments are part of the regular rhetoric used to hide the shortcomings of the police department.
Mr Vyashnoi says such comments are no consolation to the victims of crime and other atrocities.
He says robbery with violence has increased by 48 per cent and armed bank robberies now average one per month with customers also falling victim.
Mr Vyashnoi says violent crime has reached such terrifying proportions that even tourists are not spared, and are robbed and raped at times.
He says this has led to Fiji being put under the spotlight by countries like Australia and Britain which have issued travel advisories to their citizens visiting the country.
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