Social situation in Vanuatu

I am planning to spend July and August in Vanuatu, but doing my reasearch I have come across some alarming information about rising crime in Vanuatu, for example this article http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2008/January/01-18-com.htm (VANUATU’S PORT VILA HAS BECOME HOTBED OF CRIME), which maintains that violent crime is almost out of control in Port Vila.
If you have been there, could you tell me what the situation is really like? Have you ever felt threatened or unsafe? What is it like in other islands?
Thank you for your help!

Nicoletta

It's been a couple of years since I was in Vanuatu and it was fine then. I'd go again without any concerns.

However, I regard all South Pacific nations are politically unstable, with the potential for uprisings which include violent breakouts. Generally I don't think that tourists are a target.

I read that the woman who was murdered recently on Devil's Point Road had employed the offender as a gardener a year previous. She had fired him and he had targetted her specifically.

I was there 2 years ago, and Vila was VERY peaceful then.
So much so that any minor crime made headlines!
The other islands were just as peaceful.
The fact that people drink kava, not alcohol, made Vanuatu feel much safer than other Pacific towns - not that I felt unsafe in any of them (though I avoided nights out in PNG).

I visit Vanuatu frequently, mostly travelling by myself and I feel quite safe. At night I travel by bus from restaurants to accom. Don't believe everything you read in the media. If visiting Vanuatu, use good sense as you would anywhere. Lock doors at night and keep money and valuables secured.