BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Police have stepped up patrols in Belaha, Central Guadalcanal, following a series of burglary and suspected arson incidents and fresh sightings of suspected intruders this week.
Central Guadalcanal Youth Chairman Larry Viravira confirmed that a visible police presence has been maintained in the area since Sunday, after villagers reported seeing unidentified people at nearby locations near communities on Sunday and Monday nights this week.
The latest sightings were on Monday, July 13, after a string of incidents over the past week, including a break-in at Paringiju Mountain Lodge, the burning of a logging truck, and another break-in at Betikama-Kolina 3 in which two people were injured and later admitted to the National Referral Hospital.
Mr Viravira said the first group of suspected offenders was spotted on Sunday near the Mbetilonga mining prospecting camp in Belaha.
He, however, said that the police were alerted immediately, but the suspects fled before officers arrived.
He said another group was seen again on late Monday evening.
“My brother and I saw about six men parked beside the road late in the evening. We recorded the vehicle’s licence plate number and reported it to the police. Police arrived around midnight to collect the information,” he said.
Henderson Police yesterday confirmed that an inquiry file had been opened after reports of the incidents were received and that the report had been forwarded to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Headquarters at Rove for further attention.
Mr Viravira said he welcomes the increased police patrols but calls for a sustained day-and-night presence until those responsible are identified and arrested.
Mr Viravira adds that in response to the security concerns, residents have established six community checkpoints at key entry points, including Upper Tenaru, Betikama River, Paringiju and the entrances to logging and mining sites, where vehicles are checked nightly from 10pm.
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