New Caledonia's SLN nickel company has condemned the vandalism and destruction at its facilities in Thio over the holiday season.
SLN, which is the territory's leading private sector employer, said in an internal report that about ten cars were stolen and torched by what it called a gang of thugs.
It also said since Christmas a cafeteria was pillaged and a truck damaged.
Its head of communications said such incidents have become more frequent and in the last two years about 90 company vehicles were stolen.
In Thio, on the main island's east coast, SLN has one of its centres and employs about 180 people.
The community at large is reportedly concerned about the rise in crime, with burglaries, car thefts and the killing of livestock.
