The Cook Islands Police reported a generally peaceful weekend, with the exception of an increase in stolen motorbikes and concerning driving behaviour.

Four motorbikes were reported stolen over the weekend, with only one recovered – and even that was missing parts and wheels.

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt earlier said that one motorbike, reported stolen on April 9, was a private vehicle.

From January to March, 13 motorbikes were reported stolen.

Pitt said motorbike thefts were actually down compared to the same period last year.

However, he emphasised that the recovery rate remains low, estimated at less than 50 per cent.

In an earlier report, Pitt said that motorbikes being targeted are those that have been left for a prolonged period of time, unattended or worse, with keys left in the ignition.

Motorbike owners are advised to not leave keys in their motorbike, even at home, which is where a lot of bikes go missing and secure the bike in plain view, with good lighting if possible and not in town overnight.

Meanwhile, police received a report of an unconscious male at the South Seas carpark area in Avarua at 3.02am on Saturday. 

According to Pitt, the man, a Fijian national, had a cut on his arm and was bleeding. He had collapsed and was suspected of breaking a window.

Two arrests were made for drunk driving, related to incidents that occurred before the weekend.

Pitt added three crashes were reported including a minor and two suspected, as drivers had left the scene. One of those was a crash into Woo Store in Arorangi.

He added that excessive noise, wandering cows, and harassment on the road were also reported.