10 Jan 2019

Samoa sees an increase in crime over Xmas season

1:24 pm on 10 January 2019

Police in Samoa say there were over 870 reported incidents resulting in 141 arrests over the holiday period.

A Samoa checkpoint during the festive season operation

A Samoa checkpoint during the festive season operation Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Police said the number of reports received was up more than 16 percent over the same two week period the previous year.

Arrests included for a murder and two manslaughter cases and represented a 34 percent jump in the number of arrests from the previous year.

46 people were arrested for driving under the influence, 29 for careless driving and 15 for intentional damage.