The Tonga Defence Services TDS has issued a public warning that they will use "lethal force (force causing death)" to apprehend anyone who uses weapons such as axes, knives and firearms to threaten the safety of the public.

A statement from the TDS on Friday, February 9 expressed their concern over the use of weapons in crimes in the Nuku'alofa area early this month.

In one incident on February 8 a group of men got into an argument at Fanga then a man left and returned with friends armed with bush knives to attack the others. Members of the TDS did not apprehend the leader of the armed group until February 9 after a chase along Hala Taufa'ahau.

In a second incident on the same day, at 10 pm, a man used a pistol to threaten some people in a home in Ma'ufanga. The police arrested the offender and a .22 pistol was later located by a Navy Patrol after searching for it in the area.

The TDS expressed its concern over what appeared to be an escalation of criminal activities, 84 days after the declaration of Emergency Powers on November 17, 2006, and it was informing the public that incidents involving weapons including axes and knives) is taken very seriously by the TDS.

"In such incidents that involve weapons, the TDS will search and track all people allegedly involved to be taken into custody. Searches for these people will not stop until those who were involved have been arrested.

"The seriousness of these incidents is that when weapons are involved, the use of lethal force (force causing death) will be used by members of the TDS to neutralize any threat to the safety of the public. In any such events, it is advisable not to resist arrest when carrying any sort of weapons or to offer violence to members of the TDS during these incidents," they stated