Rarotonga has recorded its highest number of reported crimes in over two years, with a sharp rise in road incidents, juvenile crime and domestic violence cases throughout March, according to Cook Islands Police.

The most concerning figures came from road incidents, with 27 reported crashes last month – the highest monthly total since early 2022.

Despite increased police presence over the past two weeks, the statistics remained high. Police acknowledged the efforts of a particular shift that carried out a significant number of traffic enforcement checks and consistently issued minor offense notices (MONs).

Of the 42 traffic fines issued in March, the majority were recorded towards the end of the month.

Juvenile crime was another major concern, with a small group of teenagers responsible for several break-ins.

Police received 11 burglary complaints in March, a stark increase compared to just two in February and 10 in January this year.

Authorities are now looking into strategies to curb youth delinquency and prevent further incidents.

Similarly, domestic violence incidents saw a rise, with a single case involving multiple complaints, including wilful damage, threatening behaviour and the unlawful taking of a vehicle.

This incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of family harm and the need for greater intervention.

Police say their efforts to combat domestic violence and juvenile crime require a collaborative approach with other stakeholder agencies.

“Police efforts in resolving domestic violence, as well as juvenile crime, are clearly requiring the collaborative approach of partnerships with other stakeholder agencies,” Police stated.

Authorities stress that while they continue to uphold preventative policing, limited resources remain a challenge.  They are calling for stronger community support and partnerships to help reduce crime.

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. They encourage residents to engage in crime prevention efforts, such as securing homes and vehicles, reporting reckless driving and supporting youth outreach initiatives.