Posted October 27, 2017 14:08:39

Photo: Refugees and asylum seekers stopping guards from coming in to shut off power to one of the compounds on Manus Island. (Supplied)

Extra police have been brought to Manus Island ahead of the closure of the immigration detention centre at the end of the month, Papua New Guinea's police chief commissioner says.

In a statement, commissioner Gari Baki said two of the police force's notoriously heavy-handed Mobile Squads were already on the island and more officers were on standby to be flown in if required.

"Police will be there to assist so that the transfer is done smoothly and will deal with any situation that may arise in a professional manner," Mr Baki said.

Immigration authorities want to shut down the detention centre and move 600 refugees and asylum seekers to three other sites around the town of Lorengau.

Many of the men at the detention centre have indicated they will not leave, even when power, water and food supplies are cut off.

Photo: Asylum seekers gather to protest against the turning off of power and water services at one accommodation site. (Supplied)

In the statement, Mr Baki said there was, "a small disgruntled faction among the refugees" who were "creating uncertainty".

He also warned local residents not to interfere with the relocation of the men from the detention centre.

"The safety of both the refugees and government workers, plus staff members of leading agencies is not be taken for granted given the tension that is now being expressed by the locals on Manus Island," Mr Baki said.

Many Manus Islanders have told the ABC they do not want the men brought from the detention centre to Lorengau.

Residents in Lorengau's Ward One area were particularly angry about the construction of a new accommodation facility for refugees in their neighbourhood.

Mr Baki appealed to locals, "not to create any uncertainty and let the transfer of the refugees be done as smoothly as possible".

Topics: refugees, police, papua-new-guinea