Highest Resolution Rate on Record for Police

Recorded crime rose 4.6 percent last year, but the Police resolution rate also increased to 47.8 percent, its highest level since electronic records began in 1978.

The annual crime statistics released by Police today are for the January to December 2009 calendar year.

There were 451,405 recorded offences last year, compared with 431,383 in 2008. This was an increase of 4.6 percent (20,022 offences). However, Police resolved 14,199 more offences in 2009 (215,618) than in 2008 (201,419).

Commenting on the figures, Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls, General Manager of Strategy, Policy and Performance said that the total recorded crime per 10,000 people remains lower than it was a decade ago. "Strategies and policies taken at both a national and local policing level, along with the work we are doing with other agencies is making a positive difference in our communities.

"We're disappointed that crime has gone up, but are particularly pleased with the resolution rate we've achieved."

Assistant Commissioner Nicholls said that New Zealand's resident population rose by approximately 1 percent during the reporting period. Taking this adjustment into account, the recorded total crime rate per 10,000 went up by 3.5 percent.

Recorded crime dropped in Central and Southern Police Districts with increases in the ten other districts. After adjusting for population growth, Wellington District also recorded a small decrease.

Violence

Assistant Commissioner Nicholls said violent offending continued to be a concern, increasing 9.2 percent to 65,465 offences. This rise was driven largely by recorded family violence, which increased 18.6 percent (5,061 offences).

"Family violence is unacceptable in any form and communities are showing their intolerance to it. Changes in the way police investigate and respond to family violence; specialist investigators; media campaigns such as White Ribbon Day and It's Not OK are influencing how people think and act about family violence.

"Public safety is a high priority for us; working with communities and other agencies is vital in breaking the cycle of violence," said Assistant Commissioner Nicholls.

Other drivers for the rise in violent offending included threatening behaviour, assaults and possession of weapons. Alcohol misuse and drug abuse also contributed to the rise in recorded violence.

Of concern was the increase in recorded homicide offences - up by 23 to 134 (20.7 percent) from 2008. There were 65 recorded murders in 2009, up by 13 from 2008. However over a 20 year period, the trend is flat.

"To provide Police with a better understanding about victims of culpable death offences, a new report has been developed this year for the first time. The culpable death report, also being released today, will allow Police to better understand culpable deaths," said Assistant Commissioner Nicholls.

Sexual

Sexual offending increased by 0.6 percent in 2009 (23 offences) which is less than the increase in the New Zealand population in 2009 (1.1 percent).

"Although it makes up less than 1 percent of recorded crime, we know that not all cases of sexual offending are reported, and this is a concern to police," said Assistant Commissioner Nicholls.

Dishonesty

Dishonesty offences, which make up around half of all offences, increased by 2.6 percent.

Increases in car conversion (5 percent), burglary (3.6 percent) and theft (2.9 percent) drove the increase in 2009. These were partially offset by a reduction in fraud offences which decreased 8.4 percent.

Drugs and Anti-social

The largest increase within Drugs and Anti-social was cannabis offences, up 3,414 (20.7 percent). This increase was experienced across the country, with the exception of Auckland City District, which had a 2.7 percent reduction.

Breaches of liquor bans continued to rise with 11,663 offences in 2009, up 2038 (21.2 percent) offences on 2008. There were increases in nine of the twelve districts. Police have been working closely for several years with local bodies on reducing and preventing alcohol-related harm.

"Alcohol misuse remains a key aggravator of offending and victimisation, and a significant driver of Police resources," Assistant Commissioner Nicholls said.

"Last year alone, harmful alcohol and other drug use caused an estimated $6.5 billion of social costs. Alcohol related issues account for 18 percent of the total Police budget."

"We are putting significant effort into reducing alcohol and drug related harm including enforcing liquor bans, operating mobile and compulsory breath-testing, running controlled purchase operations and taking more enforcement applications to the Liquor Licensing Authority," said Assistant Commissioner Nicholls.

New Drug offending (including methamphetamines) increased by 19.9 percent last year. This increase aligns with a greater focus on Methamphetamine. Police are working to reduce drug crime using law enforcement (supply reduction) and education (demand reduction) strategies.

A total of 135 clan labs were dismantled in 2009 - four more than in 2008. The National Drugs Intelligence Bureau notes an increase of labs dismantled in the last quarter of 2009. An increase in the number of seizures of precursor materials in the same period was also noted.

The largest seizure of methamphetamine imported into New Zealand during the year occurred in November at Auckland Airport. This Police and Customs led Operation Rapid resulted in 6kg of methamphetamine seized with an estimated street value of around $6 million.

"Police are actively working to disrupt the supply of methamphetamine, reduce methamphetamine related crime and ensure that profits and assets made through dealing methamphetamine can be more readily recovered," said Assistant Commissioner Nicholls.

New legislation including the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 which gives Police the power to seize assets believed to have been obtained through crime is already proving its worth. Since it was introduced in December Police has identified $36 million in assets, of which $11 million in assets has been successfully restrained and is under the control of the official assignee pending court processes.

ENDS

© Scoop Media