A team of officers from the Police Response Unit have been deployed to Levuka after officers based at the Levuka Police Station were attacked by a group of men who were drinking in town last night.

Three officers had initially attended to a report where 20 men from Nauouo Village, Vatukalo Village, Toki Village and Waitovu Village were drinking along Beach Street in Levuka Town after 7pm.

The officers had asked the men to clear the area but were threatened and chased.

The officers called for backup and more police officers were deployed which also included officers from the National Fire Authority and Fiji Corrections Services.

The second attempt made to clear the area resulted in three of the officers sustaining injuries and three suspects arrested and taken into custody.

The Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu directed the deployment of the twenty men team from the Police Special Response team this morning on the Police Vessel Veiqaravi.

ACP Tudravu says the force is not taking these attacks lightly and irrespective of whether it takes place at a remote community post or Martime island, officers will be deployed to back up those assaulted.

He adds he will also travel to Levuka to meet the village elders because instead of working together there are a few members of certain communities he says that have little to no respect for authority which is why the issue of drinking in public places is a reoccurring problem in the old capital.

The Acting Commissioner also acknowledged the support shown by officers from the NFA and Corrections.

“Government officials including police officers where ever they’re posted in Fiji are making personal sacrifices and one can argue that it’s their job, but they do so with passion and dedication to their calling of improving lives of those in their area of operation”.