News Release
Wednesday 22 June 2011

2011 Perceptions of Safety Survey show people feeling safe in CBD

ROTORUA 22.06.11: The presence of Rotorua Police in the CBD is a factor contributing towards local people feeling safe in the city. However many local residents are becoming more concerned about crime levels in Rotorua according to the Rotorua District Council (RDC) commissioned 2011 ‘Perceptions of Safety Survey’ released today.

The 2011 survey conducted by APR Consultants during March and April interviewed more than 400 residents throughout Rotorua district.

Survey results reveal that feelings of safety within the CBD during night time have significantly increased, with 31.9% of respondents stating they now feel ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ compared to 24.7% in 2010.

Factors making respondents feel safe in the CBD during the night-time included the presence of other people (49.6%), lighting (29.1%), the presence of police (12.6%) and security cameras (7.1%).

The majority of people (85.9%) stated they felt ‘very safe’ or ‘safe' in the CBD during the daytime but this was down 5% from 2010 (90.9%).

RDC community safety officer Amy Duckett says the council and police are now working together with local retailers to put initiatives in place to keep the CBD safe.

“Reasons for feeling unsafe in the CBD during the daytime included the presence of ‘undesirable people’, groups of young people, bad reputation and the atmosphere, and we’re keen to try and reduce those barriers to people feeling safe in the city.

“Discussions are currently underway with local businesses and Rotorua Police to operate a fulltime CDB patrol project to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in our CBD.”

The most commonly mentioned factor for respondents feeling safe in the CBD during the daytime was the presence of other people (52.3%), though this figure dropped from 61.4% in 2010. Security cameras (5.6%) were an increased factor compared to the 2010 results (4.4%) as was the presence of Police (17% compared to 12.4% in 2010).

During the daytime, 12.1% stated that they ‘always worry’ or ‘usually worry’ about their vehicle; a decrease of 4.2% from 2010 and the lowest that this figure has been since the first survey in 2005.

More than one-half of respondents (64.1%) felt there are unsafe places to park their vehicles in the central city area, a small increase from 2010 (62.8%) but lower than 2009 (66.6%). The most commonly mentioned places of concern were Kuirau Park, Government Gardens, Lakefront, Sulphur Point, and Rotorua Central Mall.

Other significant findings from the survey include:

• At night-time, 88% of respondents felt either ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in their home, the highest in all recorded survey periods to date.

• During the day-time, the majority of respondents (91.8%) felt either ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in their local neighbourhood, a similar figure to 2010 (91.1%) and an improvement on 2009 (88.8%).

• During the day-time, 95% of respondents felt either ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in their own home, similar to the results of 2010 (95.8%).

• The number of respondents who have experienced someone gaining entry into their home or garage without permission in the past 12 months increased to 15%, the highest for this indicator since 2006.

• Strangers had physically abused 7% of respondents over the past 12 months (ie, hit, kicked or punched them or used other violence against them), the largest in all recorded survey periods.

• A total of 56 respondents (14%) stated that they had witnessed, or been a victim of a crime that they had not reported to the Police – an increase of 2.9% over 2010.

“As a result of information we’ve gathered from the perceptions of safety survey we can identify which areas need further attention and whether we’re on the right track with our safety initiatives,” says Mrs Duckett.

“Recent crime prevention projects include City Assist ambassadors over the summer months, ‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’ courses, and training for bar and door staff of licensed premises.

“RDC will continue to work with police, community groups and local businesses to develop ongoing crime prevention programmes.”

The Rotorua Police Area Commander, Inspector Bruce Horne says the outcomes of the latest perceptions of safety survey are consistent with the official Police statistics, as well as Police staff perceptions of how the community is feeling.

"It is pleasing to see that the vast majority of the people surveyed feel safe in their home or neighbourhood at all times of the day and night," says Inspector Horne.

"The results relating to people's perceptions of safety in the CBD are not surprising given some of the activity that has taken place in the CBD recently. We feel confident that the joint initiatives being developed by the Council, local retailers and Rotorua Police will make a significant improvement in this area."

Inspector Horne says the most concerning component of the latest survey is that 14 per cent of respondents said they had witnessed or been a victim of crime but had not reported that to Police.

"That there has been an increase in the non-reporting of crime is a significant concern to us. The sooner we are notified of a crime or suspicious activity, the sooner we can respond and the better chance we have of apprehending those responsible.

"I would strongly urge anyone who is a victim or witness of a crime to contact Police immediately – either on 111 or by contacting the local Police station. If people wish to provide information anonymously, they can do so by contacting the independent Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111."

The 2011 Rotorua Perceptions of Safety report will be available in full on Rotorua District Council’s website www.rdc.govt.nz on Thursday 23 June.

ENDS

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