6 Nov 2017

France commits more security forces to New Caledonia

7:42 am on 6 November 2017
French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb met with leaders from New Caledonia last week.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb met with leaders from New Caledonia last week. Photo: AFP

The French interior minister has acceded to demands from New Caledonia to send more security forces to the territory.

Gerard Collomb made the announcement in Paris after talks with New Caledonian politicians at the weekend.

More police will be sent to Noumea and to the northern province, and more prison staff will be hired.

Mr Collomb says he is considering returning New Caledonians officers serving in France because they are more in tune with the local culture.

He says in New Caledonia, particular problems are posed by burglaries and thefts which are exacerbated by serious alcohol problems that police try to curb.

The meeting came a day after the signatories of the Noumea Accord chaired by the French prime minister, which yielded an accord paving the way for next year's independence referendum.

Mr Collomb says he understands the territory's security concerns in the lead-up to that referendum.