New Caledonia's anti-independence Republicans have proposed a package of measures to curb lawlessness.
They called for better surveillance especially at weekends amid public concern over crime.
The party said in 80 percent of crimes alcohol is a factor and therefore its sale should be restricted by limiting the quantities that can be bought and by banning its sale to people with convictions.
Downtown Noumea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Mayors of the Noumea area belonging to the Republicans say crime committed by young people has become endemic and now includes incursion of youths from the east coast to Noumea with the sole purpose of stealing cars and burning them.
To reduce crime, they want harsher penalties for young offenders.
French interior ministry figures show that per capita burglaries and car thefts in New Caledonia are more than twice more common than in mainland France.
