Crime in Papua New Guinea

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) is the national police service. Its 2024 management report recorded serious assault, drug offences, robbery, rape and burglary as about 64% of recorded offences. Recorded cases are not national prevalence figures because incomplete reporting and limited administrative coverage can leave offences unrecorded. The Family and Sexual Violence Unit (FSVU) recorded 6,792 reported cases in 2024 through 21 provincial units staffed by 114 police personnel. Commonly reported risks include murder, serious assault, robbery, bag-snatching, burglary, theft, rape and other sexual assault, carjacking, kidnapping, firearm offences and drug offences. Bush knives and firearms appear among the weapons used in crime. Risk can change quickly and is often higher after dark, during travel through some urban settlements, along Highlands routes and near mining or logging sites. Public motor vehicles, commonly called PMVs, and taxis can present additional risks, especially at night. Tribal fighting, roadblocks, protests and civil unrest belong to this topic only when they create a direct crime or personal-safety consequence. The nearest police station is the usual contact for a non-emergency report. The Officer in Charge, or OIC, manages a station, while a Provincial Police Commander oversees police operations at provincial level. In the National Capital District and Central Province, the RPNGC lists 1800100 for immediate police assistance. Provincial numbers are inconsistent or sometimes unavailable. Some travel guidance lists 112, but published emergency information is not fully consistent, so the working number should be confirmed locally. A report is more useful when it records the date, time, place, suspect description, witnesses and available photographs or video. Preserve evidence without creating additional danger, keep contact details for follow-up and ask for a support person or privacy where needed. No general police reporting fee is identified in the available information. Complaints about police misconduct can go to Internal Affairs or the Internal Investigation Unit locally or at headquarters. The FSVU can provide a protected reporting location, sensitive handling, investigation, protection for victims and children, court support, counselling, medical referral, safe accommodation and case management. A support person can generally accompany someone to the police, court or a service appointment. Advice, safety planning and referral may be available even when a person is not ready to make an immediate police report. The Victims of Crime Helpline is 1800 200 and operates daily from 08:00 to 23:00. The Boroko FSVU operates 24 hours. Sexual violence should not be treated as settled through informal compensation. Serious proceedings can take years, so preserve records and maintain follow-up contact. Children and women face particular exposure to family and sexual violence, while children can also be victims, witnesses or accused persons. A UNICEF estimate from 2017 suggested that about 75% of children experienced violence, but systematic current national child-protection data are not available. The Department of Justice and Attorney General's Juvenile Justice Service focuses on protection, rehabilitation and reintegration. Village Courts and Community Justice Centres can provide community-based conflict resolution and rural access, but they are not substitutes for police or specialist services in serious violence, sexual offences or immediate danger. Digital crime is also growing. Identity theft, account and financial fraud, phishing, malware and scams can be reported to the RPNGC Cybercrime Unit. In the National Capital District, 7 Mile Police Station is a named cybercrime contact; elsewhere, use the nearest police station. NICTA, the National Information and Communications Technology Authority, accepts cybercrime and consumer complaints and can refer matters to the RPNGC. Use separate strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, current software, careful link and attachment checks, secure banking connections, backups, privacy settings and regular account reviews. Do not walk alone after dark, display valuables, carry large amounts of cash or use unfamiliar PMVs or taxis without checking current local conditions. Lock doors and windows, share travel plans with a trusted contact and use a trusted guide or company security arrangement for trekking or higher-risk travel.