Police in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay province are struggling to contain spiralling lawlessness and violent unrest linked to a criminal gang.
The provincial capital Alotau remains in lockdown after more deadly unrest in the town last week.
The burning of houses in the local police barracks, which left two people dead, prompted another police pursuit of the criminal gang, resulting in a shootout which left another person dead.
The gang is led by the notorious prison escapee, Tommy Baker, who local police have been unable to capture for months.
With reinforcements from the capital sent to Alotau this week, the Milne Bay police chief George Bayagau told Johnny Blades he's hopeful order can be restored.
Listen
Notorious Papua New Guinea criminal Tommy Baker Photo: PNG Police