Of the 568 arrested:

• 357 were arrested for breaches of the National Emergency Lockdown Notice/Restriction Notice and the obstruction of authorized officers.
• 77 were arrested for being drunk in public places,
• 33 for possession of illicit drugs,
• 28 on domestic violence,
• the rest for other crimes including assault, theft and housebreaking. 

“Our mission is to support the Government, to support our Ministry of Health in keeping our citizens well and safe. We do that by educating the people but when that approach falls on deaf ears, we will enforce the full extent of the law in this National Health Emergency.”

The Police Commissioner urged people to respect the law, respect police officers on duty. This is a difficult time, but we need the public to follow instructions and comply with directions. People need to stay home during curfew hours, he said.

Drop in crimes

Since January to mid-April and when the curfew started in March this year, the total number of reported crimes dropped to 499 in comparision to the same period last year, which was at 797.

“There may be difficult times ahead and we must steer ourselves to the task ahead and work together. Our role as always is to uphold the rule of law, keep the peace, protect our citizens and do our duty to King and country to the best of our ability,” he said.

Police are working together with His Majesty’s Armed Forces and the Tonga Fire and Emergency Services to enforce the curfew.

“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action on those who continue to ignore the curfew,” said the Police Commissioner.

Meanwhile, the public can contact the Police Operation Centre on 23713 or email opcc [dot] covid19 [at] police [dot] gov [dot] to, to report a crime or anyone who is breaching the curfew hours.