Last month, 17 burglaries were reported to Police and just a few days into the month of July, a 15 year-old boy was arrested after he was found unlawfully on a Titikaveka property.

Media/strategic advisor Trevor Pitt says this week they received three complaints of burglary, one attempted break-in, and one incident of theft.

And in the early hours of Tuesday, a 15-year-old boy was arrested for being unlawfully found.

Pitt said he was one of three sighted and pursued by Police.

“The Titikaveka area has been the target of thieves in recent weeks,” he said.

Police are advising residents to be watchful and alert to suspicious movements around neighbourhoods and to secure valuables.

Cash and digital devices are items most lifted by thieves, he said.

Meanwhile, despite the spike last month, the annual total is trending lower than last year – "more than 16 per cent lower than 2023", Pitt said.

He said break-ins around Rarotonga have continued to be of major concern to Police, registering at a five year high last month.

The last monthly high was 21 back in October 2019.

Pitt said the cause for concern remains with Police resources being directed to investigative efforts.

According to the Police annual report of 2022-2023, the changing crime environment was reflected in the number of reported burglaries and theft and was largely due to the risks and vulnerabilities around tourism accommodation and beaches – a 19 per cent increase over 2021.

At the June Parliament sitting, Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Police, said he will make sure that community policing is brought back to tackle the rising crime rate in Rarotonga.

Brown said he would have a meeting with Members of Parliament from Puaikura and Takitumu to see how community police can begin as soon as possible.

Ngatangiia MP Tukaka Ama agreed that after discussing the issue with PM Brown that community policing was needed again in Takitumu.

Ama said that since Ngatangiia is the hub for tourism in Rarotonga, it's important to have community policing in place for everyone, including tourists who visit the area.