PNG crime: Distress buttons and tracking devices on table

11:25 am on 11 October 2019

In a bid to improve police response times and deter crime, Papua New Guinea's acting Police Commissioner plans to discuss installing distress call buttons in commercial banks and major businesses.

Papua New Guinea police commissioner David Manning

Papua New Guinea police commissioner David Manning Photo: Supplied

David Manning said he would soon meet with representatives of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce about the proposal.

If the buttons were installed in the capital, he hoped to roll them out in other major centres.

"Violent armed hold-ups and robberies remain a major threat to businesses across the nation and therefore we must improve our partnership with the community in the fight against crime," Mr Manning said.

The commissioner said technology could also be used to clamp down on car-jackings.

Police were exploring the option of installing a vehicle tracking system to which anyone could subscribe.

"We are mindful of people's privacy but it is a choice they can make to protect their own properties from crime and criminals.

"We live in a digital age of computers, internet communication and technology but we are not fully maximising the use of such resources," he said.