UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 10 July 2007

This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide you with information about the security situation around the country.

The security situation across the country has been calm.

Today in Dili, UNPol conducted a total of 48 patrols and were required to attend five incidents. None were major. They included the robbery of a workshop near Democracy Field. The culprits took two mobile phones and a wallet, and the owner of the workshop and his wife sustained minor injuries. Police are investigating.

Yesterday in Viqueque, unidentified assailants threw rocks at two houses in Matahoi. One of the houses belongs to a PNTL officer. There were no reports of any injuries, but a Formed Police Unit has been sent to the area to prevent further trouble.

There are two reports of violence taking place in the districts yesterday. In Lublala village, Ermera, a 50-year-old man was assaulted after having an argument with his fellow villager over the harvesting of coffee. In Tequinomata village, Baucau, a 22-year-old woman was assaulted by her husband and is being treated in Baucau hospital. The case is now under investigation.

One day previously in Lautem, UNPol and PNTL responded to reports of an 18-year-old man threatening to kill himself whilst standing on the roof of a building in Bauro village. Police managed to stop him and took him to Los Palos hospital, where he was diagnosed as suffering from a mental illness. He has now been transferred to Baucau hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.

The UNPol Election Security Plan is currently in Phase Four, the post-polling phase. UNPol, PNTL and Formed Police Units remain deployed and are on stand-by for any post-polling clashes or victory processions. The International Stabilisation Forces are also on stand-by, ready to be deployed on request.

The Police advise to avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Report any suspicious activities and avoid traveling the areas affected by disturbances. Call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This has been a daily broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste, for the people of Timor-Leste.