by Finau Fonua

A 67 year old Ma'ufanga man died on New Year's Day from injuries sustained after his bicycle collided with a vehicle on Vuna Road, in Tonga's first first road fatality for 2011. The name of the deceased has not been released.

A 22-year-old male driver from Longolongo has been charged with manslaughter by negligence, the Police reported.

Crime increase

Acting Police Commander Taniela Faletau in his weekly crime report on Tuesday, 11 January, said that the 2010-11 Christmas and New Year period was, "generally peaceful, despite a slight increase in reported crime."

In the two week period between 23 December 2010 and 4 January 2011 the Police recorded a total of 112 criminal offences compared to 105 for the same period during 2009-10.

Theft was the predominant crime registered with 35 offences reported, followed by 24 assaults, and 23 incidents of housebreaking. There was one offence of manslaughter by negligence, and five cases of bodily harm

Out of the 112 crimes, 54% were recorded at the Central Police Station in Nuk'alofa, with 20% at Mu'a, 10% at Neiafu, Vava'u and 5% at Vaini and other districts.

Drunkenness

Offences under other acts totalled 110 relating mostly to public disorder.

At the Central Nuku'alofa Police Station alone, 167 arrests were made, of which 131 related to drunkenness in public places.

Traffic operations made use of newly introduced breathalyser equipment during the period and saw 85 drivers tested positive for alcohol presence, 24 of whom were charged for being well over the alcohol limit of 150 micrograms per breath volume. Two offenders have so far been fined T$350 and T$500 respectively.

There was a significant decrease in road fatalities in 2010 with six deaths, compared to 11 road deaths in 2009.

The Acting Commander Taniela Faletau, thanked the community for their assistance, and all the Tonga Police for their efforts during Christmas-New Year operations.