Cook Islands Police have reported that last month closed off with a monthly total of 181 incidents reported.

Police media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt says this was up in October, which recorded 168 reported incidents.

Pitt said among the more significant factors influencing criminal activity in recent months has been the level of juvenile delinquency complaints, which impacted the number of burglaries, thefts, and stolen motorbikes.

Sixteen break-ins were reported over the past two months, along with 14 incidents of theft, and 13 motorbikes unlawfully taken.

The November Police prosecutions also reflect the contribution of juvenile delinquency to the high number of charges laid before the court.

Of the total number of 72 charges laid last month, 65 per cent of them were for burglaries and stolen motorbikes - a rare occasion when dishonesty charges outnumber those for traffic-related offenses

Pitt said that as Police continue to grapple with the ongoing pressures of staffing shortages, the planning is getting underway for what is expected to be a busy Festive Season roster ahead.

He said the past several months have already hit the Police Service hard with depleted staff numbers coping with heavy volumes of complaints and incidents.

And some shifts have managed to cope with just two Officers available to respond to callouts.

Police Media