Rotorua Residents Feeling Safer Says Independent Report

Rotorua residents are feeling safer despite more personal experiences of crime over the last twelve months.

The Rotorua community’s feeling of increased safety is revealed in results of an independent ‘perceptions of safety’ survey commissioned by Rotorua District Council (RDC).

The 2010 survey, conducted by Key Research Consultants during April and May, interviewed 400 residents throughout Rotorua district.

RDC community policy and resource manager, Ann Esler, said people this year feel the CBD is a safer place to be than in 2009, during both daytime and at night.

“Those feeling that the CBD was ‘safe or very safe’ during the daytime were up 5%, and in the evening up 4% over last year.

“Survey respondents attributed the presence of other people, improved lighting and monitored security cameras as the main reasons for feeling safe in the CBD. “

The number of people who feel Rotorua is “definitely” or “mostly” a safe place to live has also increased by 11% over the past twelve months, which is very encouraging,” said Ms Esler.

Other significant findings from the survey include:

12.9% of people, or someone in their household, had items stolen from their vehicle over the past 12 months. While this is 1.9% up on 2009 results (11%) it remains 4.3% lower than 2005 (17.2%) when the annual survey began.

8.8% said they or someone in their household, had a vehicle, bike or motorcycle stolen, an increase of 4% on 2009 results (4.8%) but still less than the 2005 figure (10.2%).

13.6% had experienced someone gaining entry into their home or garage without permission. This is up 5.3% on 2009 (8.3%) but less than the 2005 figure (16.1%).

4% had been frightened for their safety or the safety of their family or friends’ as a result of anger, threats or violence by a partner or former partner. This is up 1% on 2009 (3%) and slightly less than 2005 (4.5%).

Forty-four people (11.1%) had witnessed or been a victim of a crime that they had not reported to the Police – up from 7.5% in 2009, but down from 12.7% in 2005.

Although statistics show that personal experience of crime and violence has increased over the past twelve months in the Rotorua District, perceptions of safety have nevertheless risen.

Police Area Commander for Rotorua, Inspector Bruce Horne, says he is pleased that the community's perceptions of safety have increased.

"We take the Perceptions of Safety survey seriously, as it provides an important barometer to how our community is feeling.

"In the last survey, people indicated that they wanted Police to be more visible in their communities, particularly in the CBD. We have worked very hard on this aspect over the past 12 months, so it’s great to see that effort has been acknowledged in the survey.

"It is also encouraging to see that although the overall level of reported crime increased last year, the public understand that one of the major contributors to that increase was an increased focus on policing disorderly behaviour and breaches of the liquor ban in the CBD.

“Feedback from the public in the last survey sent a clear message that these were issues of concern. Police responded to that feedback and consequently we’re pleased those efforts have been recognised in the latest survey - with more people reporting that they feel safer than was the case last year."

Ann Esler said Rotorua District Council has an ongoing commitment to work in collaboration with the Police and other agencies and organisations on crime prevention, crime reduction and community safety.

“Rotorua achieved international safe community status in June. This is a concept developed by the World Health Organisation and will see Treasure Rotorua, a coalition of local agencies and groups, continue their work to promote safety and injury prevention throughout the community,” said Ms Esler.

The Perceptions of Safety Survey is an annual consultation with the Rotorua community to get a snap-shot of how people feel about various local safety issues.

The 2010 Rotorua Perceptions of Safety report will be available in full on Rotorua District Council’s website www.rdc.govt.nz from Wednesday 4 August.

ENDS

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