2009 Calendar year Canterbury District Police Crime Statistics

Crime statistics released today show that Canterbury District experienced a 3 percent increase in recorded crime for the year. Recorded offences rose from 51,341 in 2008 to 52,981 in 2009.

The resolution rate dropped marginally from 42.1 percent to 41.8 percent.

The increase in recorded offences in Canterbury was primarily driven by increases in Drugs and Antisocial offences (up 12 percent) and Dishonesty offences (up 4 percent). There were smaller volume increases in Violence offences (up 6 percent), and Administrative offences (up 4 percent), with reductions recorded in all the remaining offence categories.

The 6 percent increase in the total number of recorded Violence offences has been driven largely by an increase in recorded family violence, which was up by 14 percent. These results are consistent with the national picture, where we have seen significant increases in recorded family violence offences since the roll-out of mandatory training to all front-line staff in 2007 and publicity campaigns about family violence.

Many people may now be reporting to Police family violence offences which in the past may not have come to Police attention. What these figures do tell us is that Police are dealing with more matters as family violence offences.

The 12 percent increase in recorded Drugs and Anti-Social offences in 2009 was driven by increases in Breach of Liquor Ban offences (up 29 percent), Drugs (Cannabis) offences (up 14 percent), and Disorder offences (up 8 percent).

"This has been as a result of particular targeting of anti-social behaviour right across the Canterbury District," says Superintendent Dave Cliff, Canterbury District Commander.

"The approach we have taken is to focus on offences such as disorderly behaviour and breaches of the liquor ban in order to remove these offenders from the street. This prevents them from becoming intoxicated assailants or victims of crime or road trauma," said Superintendent Cliff.

Recorded Dishonesty offences increased 4 percent in 2009, with the increase spread across various offence classes. The biggest increase within the Dishonesty offence category was in Fraud offences, which increased by 25 percent in 2009. Other offence classes where there was an increase include Car Conversion offences (up 10 percent), Theft offences (up 3 percent) and Burglary offences (up 2 percent).

"This area of offending remains a concern and we do have plans in place to address this offending. However, on many occasions, we are finding that insecure homes and vehicles and leaving valuable items in plain view in parked cars are often factors associated with dishonesty crime.

"We are asking people to think about their personal security, particularly students. Police are faced with an ongoing problem of laptops and other electrical items being stolen from student flats. Keeping such a valuable item secure by locking it away safely is an important message at this time of the year," says Superintendent Cliff.

Police are asking if anyone has information about those who are suspected to be receiving and selling stolen property to anonymously provide that information to Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

For full statistics please go to www.police.govt.nz

ENDS

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