Lae police have reported a total of 63 arrests since the installation and launching of CCTV at the Lae Market last month.
The identification of perpetrators and their apprehension, leading to formal arrests, has been made possible through the use of CCTV.
“The 63 arrests have been made by Market Police and Special Response Unit 101 members,” said metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.
“These are mainly street vending, drunk and disorderly behaviour and traffic offences at the bus stop. Unauthorised PMV crew or most commonly called ‘K5 boss crew’ here in Lae have also been apprehended and arrested.
“There have not been any reports of car tampering or stealing from parked motor vehicles, which has been a common problem prior to the CCTV cameras being mounted. Stealing from parked vehicles used to occur daily.
“The syndicate which used to go around pick pocketing and stealing from vehicles has been disbanded from the market area because many have been apprehended and arrested.
“The Lae District Court have sent them to prison at Buimo after being convicted.”
Wagambie Jnr says plans are underway to roll out CCTV to other parts of the city.