THEFT tops the list of the most committed crime in Tonga between 17-23 of January, the Deputy Commander of Police, Taniela Faletau said yesterday, and he urged parents to look after their sons and to get to know their whereabouts at night, so that they don't get involved in criminal activities.

Twenty five thefts were reported during the week, followed by housebreaks 18, embezzlement 18, assaults 11, willful damages 2 and trespasses 2.

There were 79 complaints recorded by the Police during the third week of January, compared to 52 during the previous week.

Deputy Commander Faletau noted that teenage boys were getting more involved in house breaking and that the police arrested a 12 year old boy last week in a theft incident.

He also reported that a young male clerk at a government office in Ha’apai was awaiting trial for 18 charges relating to the embezzlement of about $20,000 pa’anga.

Meanwhile, there was a drop in traffic offences from 196 to 175. Most of the offences were for speeding.