5 Jul 2017

Tonga police say student anti-fighting camp a success

3:18 pm on 5 July 2017

Tongan police say a camp aimed at stopping increasing cases of high school student fighting has already made an impact on the community.

The Central Police Station in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa.

The Central Police Station in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa. Photo: RNZI/Gareth Thomas

There had been a number of ugly, public brawls between students recently, many of which have been posted online.

The Ministry of Education and police joined forces to run last week's camp with student leaders from four colleges attending.

Acting Chief Inspector Penisimani Fili said the 26 students went through a similar programme to what police recruits go through, taking part in religious, physical and team building exercises.

Mr Fili said he had noticed a difference in their approach to each other and their fellow students.

"Those who [were] here in the camp, they come and saw some guys fighting in the market and they stopped them. Their parents, they saw their children start to change their behaviour in the way they used to do at home when they come back from the camp."