290411 DRUNKS & CRIME LOW
By Tom Kathoa

Police in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville say the common street offence of drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages in public is declining.
Commander of Police in the Northern Region, Inspector Cletus Tsien says the common sore eye of people being drunk in public has drastically improved with the imposition of police foot patrols in the Kokopau and Buka Towns including Sohano Island.
Inspector Tsien said other liquor related crimes have also improved as indicated by the number of police arrests for the first four months of this year.
Inspector Tsien said the number of police arrests is as follows; January 79, 72 for the month of February, 68 for March while the figures for April is yet to be compiled.
He said the April figure is expected to be much lower around the 40 to 50 mark.
Although, satisfied police are confident a total clean up of this can be achieved.
Meanwhile, it has been generally quiet overall in the region during the Easter weekend apart from cases not of criminal nature.