Police Media Unit reports that police are being informed of legitimate caretakers being threatened and chased off the land, giving way for illegal harvesting activities to take place.

Guadalcanal Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Rotu, warns those who carry out illegal harvesting activities to stop as they may face criminal proceedings.

Mr. Rotu said that the landowners are authorised by the coconut and cocoa plantation companies to undertake the harvesting in those areas and act as caretakers.

"People who undertake harvesting when they are not authorised to do so, can become the subject of police investigations and subsequence prosecution," Superintendent Rotu said.