Police in the Makira Ulawa Province have applauded assistance by people at Ubuna Village in West Makira after arresting a man in his 20s in connection with an alleged arson at the village on 4 March 2018.
It is alleged that the man started a fire which completely burnt down a temporary classroom building at the Ubuna Primary School.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Makira Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai explains: “The suspect was arrested on 4 March by people at Ubuna Village and brought to Kirakira on the same day and handed over to the police. He was charged with alleged arson and has been remanded at the Kirakira Correctional Centre to appear in court later this month. Police continues the investigation into the incident.”
“As PPC of this province, I want to thank the people of Ubuna for taking this action as such arrest by the public is provided for under Section 21 (1) of the Criminal Procedures Code (CPC). The Section provides for the arrest by a member of the public of a suspect and to immediately hand them over to the police,” says Superintendent Sitai.
“I call on other communities in the Makira Ulawa Province to do the same as the members of the Ubuna community have done because police cannot be everywhere at the same time.”
PPC Sitai further explains: “Policing is not a matter only for the police but for all citizens of this country. That is why the RSIPF is rolling out the Crime Prevention Strategy which advocates the formation of Ward Crime Prevention Committees throughout our provinces to assist police address the drivers of crime within our communities.”
Police in Kirakira is continuing to establish such Committees in the province’s 20 Wards after which training will be provided to members especially on their role in their communities.