The Fiji Police Force is looking at establishing crime prevention committees in Nabua in light of the brawl that took place on Friday and Saturday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdul Khan said they were exploring community policing campaigns for the two neighbourhoods so that they can work together towards creating a safe and secured environment for residents.

Two people are in hospital after the incident.

“Let us not give a bad name to Mead Road Housing,” he told the media after meeting the Nabua youths and community leaders yesterday.

At the meeting, they discussed a way forward for the two communities.

“The way things are going, people have been talking about it as a notorious place, let us come together and see the way forward,” ACP Khan said.

“We had a fruitful meeting with the youths and also the vakatawa (lay preacher) and other people who were present.

“I believe good sense will prevail and we will have to look at the youths down in Nabua and have a discussion with them too.”

He said the causes of the brawls were not major. However, it was handled wrongly.

“They should not be taking the law into their own hands and we have advised them that if they see anything they should report it to the Police and Police has to investigate. Our doors are open,” he said.

“We have beefed up officers around here and our number one priority is the safety and security of everybody in this area.”

Investigations 

ACP Khan said investigations are ongoing, statements will be recorded and an analysis will be done before they identify any suspects in relation to the brawl.

“We are not here to fight or to create a problem. No. We are here to ensure everyone enjoys life and continues to do better for the benefit of young people living in this area. Mead Road is not new to us in terms of its criminal landscape in the past however we want to change that. We want to work with the people living in this area to ensure a better life and we don’t want them to live in fear especially with the little ones,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Public Rental Board (PRB) will issue a statement after Police have completed their investigation.

Jone Naisara, who is the chairperson for the PRB community in Nabua, said it was a normal Saturday afternoon until he heard people shouting and exchanging vulgar language outside his home at the Nabua PRB flats.

“I came out and someone told me that my car was smashed with a golf club by one of the boys who was part of the brawl,” Mr Naisara said.

Mr Naisara said the car belonged to his nephew who lives overseas and he was the caretaker.

“I was quite upset to see the damage to the car and I straight away went to lodge a Police complaint against them,” he said.

He said another altercation happened after 7pm between the same groups.

He commended Police efforts.

It is understood that talks are in the pipeline to organise a sporting event and a church services for the two factions to bring them together to iron out their differences.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa 

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