Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands, is witnessing a troubling rise in shoplifting incidents, primarily carried out by young individuals commonly referred to as beligas, a local slang term for thieves. The issue has increasingly become a major concern for business owners across the city, and the beligas are becoming more confident.
Recent reports have highlighted a surge in shoplifting cases, with CCTV footage frequently revealing young people stealing from shops in broad daylight. In one a video shared with our news desk, another beliga was caught on camera stealing an item.
“This is not just petty theft it’s becoming a habit among some youths,” said the frustrated shop owner in West Honiara. “These young men are physically strong and could easily find work. I don’t understand why they chose this path.”
Many locals have joined shopkeepers in calling for urgent action from law enforcement and local authorities to tackle the growing problem. Many are demanding stronger incentives, increased patrols, and youth engagement programs to prevent further escalation.
“This disgusting attitude needs to stop,” said one resident. “It’s affecting our community’s trust and safety.”
As Honiara continues to grow and urban challenges intensify, the rise of beligas underscores the need for both security measures and meaningful youth development efforts to address the root causes of this behavior. Without intervention, shop owners fear that the problem will only worsen, putting livelihoods and public trust at further risk.
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