Two young boys aged 12 and 15 years have been charged in relation to an alleged attack on tourists in Savai’i.
Police report the boys, one of whom was carrying a machete, were playing around and trying to scare the tourists.
“The two boys seemed to have been mucking around while trying to block the road as the two tourists were bicycling and our reports are that the arm of one of the tourists, a female was injured during the incident,” said Inspector Maotaoalii Kaioneta Aliisolia.
Authorities are concerned these types of incidents will tarnish Samoa’s image as a tourist destination.
“It’s these hooligans that are not allowed in the streets because they don’t understand the effects their actions have on the people who visit our country,” Maota said.
“It leads to police further urging for the cooperation of village councils and chiefs to help with the protection of tourists and visitors to Samoa.”
“Police cannot look after every village. However, there is safety under the law with the protection of village councils and chiefs even the many churches in Samoa. It’s part of our duties as well that we are trying to communicate better with Samoa Tourism Authority to notify us as to where the tourists are going and where most are at, so that police can know where to focus efforts,” he added.
The two boys face charges related to carrying a dangerous weapon and causing grievous bodily harm.
They will appear in court on 21 July