Police crackdown

RNZ reports Operation Vi has resulted in major busts with police seizing thousands of bottles of illegally sold liquor, homebrew, drugs and a firearm.

Acting Commissioner Viliami Unga Fa'aoa said just over 70 percent of the registered crimes were traffic violations.

Mr Fa'aoa said the aim of the operation was to ensure public safety and said police will not tolerate criminal behaviour.

Police are advising members of the public to contact them if they are concerned about suspicious behaviour in their communities.

According to RNZ, the Tongan police said they arrested 137 people mostly in the capital Nuku'alofa after Operation Safe Streets was launched on Friday.

The Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said the operation was an effort to prevent crime and protect the public.

The police said the operation would run over the next several weeks and concentrate on Nuku'alofa, and throughout Tongatapu, where alcohol-fuelled crime is a problem.

Those arrested were to appear in the Magistrate Court tomorrow.