Gun buy-back could reduce violence

A GUN buy-back scheme in East Timor could work to reduce the amount of violence in the troubled nation, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty says.

"What is clearly apparent in East Timor is that there are far too many weapons on the street," Mr Keelty said  ABC Radio.

Australia's nearest neighbour has been wracked by violence since the sacking of 600 soldiers in April by then prime minister Mari Alkatiri.

Rival police and army factions battled in the streets and clashes later spilled over into widespread gang warfare, looting and arson.

Prime Minister John Howard set up a gun buy-back scheme in the wake of Australia's worst massacre when Martin Bryant killed 35 people at Port Arthur in Tasmania.

Mr Keelty said a similar program in East Timor could help stem the violence.

"It's useful to put suggestions to the governments of these countries to say ... have you thought of this or have you tried this," he said.

"I think even in our own country ... it's worked.

"There are less shootings today in Australia and no doubt less accidental shootings even."

Mr Keelty said the level of weapons on the streets of Dili was not the only problem facing East Timor.

The wet season is about to arrive and tens of thousands of people are still living in make-shift camps after they fled their homes during the riots.

"It remains a big problem, the internally displaced persons camps, people just living in tents in large numbers around the city.

"We're about the see the wet season hit hard."