Police aware of alleged fatal crocodile attack of young female in Western Province

Police is aware of a report alleging a young female had been attacked by a crocodile at a river on North New Georgia Island in Western Province on 23 January 2019.

Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Matthew Varley says, “Police became aware of the report on 28 January 2019 and officers in Western Province are trying to communicate with leaders on the island to make a formal request for police to go and hunt for crocodiles at the said river.”

He adds: “Officers of the RSIPF Police Respond Team are making preparations to travel to Western Province to follow up on the fatal crocodile attack.”

“My message to the public is that crocodiles are a danger to those living close and people must take extra care of the danger,” says Commissioner Varley.

People in the area on North New Georgia have discovered the parts of an arm, some human hair and part of a human leg at the crocodile's pool [base] on Friday 25 January 2019 after the people mounted a search for the crocodile.

It is reported that the community on North New Georgia tried to kill the crocodile but it escaped.

For members of the public in the Western Province who sight crocodiles in their areas, please call the following numbers:

• Gizo Police - 60999/60966

• Munda Police - 62114

• Noro Police – 61005

People can also contact the Police National Communication Centre on phone numbers: 23666 or the free toll line 999 to report sightings of crocodiles.