In the 10 day period surrounding the Pacific Islands Forum summit and its associated meetings on Rarotonga there were 18 burglaries, which police say is a very high number for the Cook Islands.
At the time just 3 police officers were dealing with criminal investigations while all other staff were involved with ssecurity surrounding the summit.
A number of people in Rarotonga for the meetings were among the thieves victims.
The Criminal Investigation Branch chief, Detective Inspective Areumu Ingaua, says they are only now able to start investigations and will mount a targeted operation, but he has told local media they will catch the offenders.
