30 Jul 2003

PNG police operations in some areas affected by shortage of resources

11:12 am on 30 July 2003

The acting police commander in the Papua New Guinea province of East New Britain says the police are under-equipped to fight crime in the area.

Chief Inspector Antony Duwang says there is a shortage of resources like fuel and vehicles which is hampering police investigations.

Chief Inspector Duwang says there is not enough money available to repair vehicles or purchase fuel which means the local police have effectively been immobilised.

"A lot of the population live outside the town areas. We need to reach them as well, we are not able to do so at the moment. That's why some of our population are cut off from police services at the moment."

Chief Inspector Duwang says police are appealing to the community to support them and he says he fears criminals could take advantage of the situation.

It has also been reported that police in four Highlands provinces are experiencing the same problems.