More than 50 people have been arrested in relations to Friday night’s rioting and looting at the King George area, East Honiara.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) media unit last night reported that police was able to restored order in and around the eastern part of Honiara.
During Friday night’s unfortunate incident a group of people looted a shop which was later burnt.
The report stated a subsequent police operation was launched on Saturday resulting in the arrest of seven offenders. The operation continued into the night with the Police Response Team leading targeted raids backed by a strong investigation support from detectives from Honiara City, Kukum and Naha Police stations.
Information provided by members of the public with the immediate response by the operation teams resulted in the arrest of an additional 46 suspects. Investigators identified 15 of those arrested were related to the disorder and looting.
The others were apprehended within the vicinity for minor offences. The recent arrests bring the total of apprehended suspects to 53.
Reports said it was a successful result for the police response but particularly for the investigation teams as some of the wanted suspects in relation to the recent aggravated robberies in Honiara were also among those apprehended.
The partnership between the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the public has proved to be very effective as shown by the positive outcome of the current operation. Police are pleased with the assistance provided by the public and at the same time, call for their continued support, the report said.
Meanwhile the threat level at the troubled area east of Honiara has quietened down substantially and likewise, the police have scaled down its operation.
However, the Police Response Team will continue to maintain patrols in that part of town.
The operation is continuing and anyone who may have any information that could assist police investigations can be passed on to the Police Communication Centre on 23666 or the Emergency number, 999.
The incident on Friday night which caught many by surprise has left many people stranded on both end of the road. Some even had to spend the night in their vehicles before making their way home around dawn.
