Police are struggling to cope with the number of arrests and inmates held in remand, says Chief Operations Officer ACP, Rusiate Tudravu.

And Tudravu says this could have played a part in the escape of the three men from the Nadi Police Station on Diwali night.

“If the prisons are full then the only alternative is to get them to the police custody and in such a case like this the Natabua Prison and the Namosau cannot cater for them – so they are brought back to the police cell and our cells are full because we also have people in our custody.”

Tudravu says they’re hopeful the completion of the construction of a remand centre in Suva will ease this problem.

Three inmates who escaped from the Nadi Police Station five days ago are still on the run.

Tudravu says they’re following some fresh leads.

He also says the fate of officers on duty at the time of the break out will be known once the investigation report is handed to Commissioner Ioane Naivalurua.

The report has been prepared.