Crime in Dunedin Clutha Waitaki Policing Area Drops By 5%

Reported total crime in the Dunedin Clutha Waitaki Policing Area has decreased by 5% in the year to 30 June 2014 according to figures released today through Statistics New Zealand.

Dunedin Clutha Waitaki Area Commander Inspector Jason Guthrie said that this meant there were 541 fewer crimes by comparison with the previous financial year.

“These results reflect the hard work that Police staff and partners do to keep our communities safe and reinforces the fact that the Prevention First operating strategy is the correct approach to take,” Inspector Guthrie said.

Inspector Guthrie said that reductions in theft (-10.0% or 305 fewer offences) property damage (-19.2% or 443 fewer offences), robbery (-23.8% or 10 fewer offences), and public order offending (-14.2% or 181 fewer offences) are particularly pleasing.

“These are the type of crimes that impact heavily on people and police are committed to continuing the significant prevention work that is contributing to these positive results.”

These significant reductions are balanced by increases in harassment (+43.9% or 190 offences) and burglary (+44.3% or 408 offences).

The increase in recorded burglary is believed to be largely a reflection of changed recording practices since the full implementation of the national recording standard under the crime reporting line during 2013. This effectively has meant the formation of a new baseline for recorded burglary as the full effect of changed recording practices is felt.

"Dunedin continues to experience one of the lowest rates of burglary offending in the country and remains amongst the safest places in New Zealand to live and visit - we are committed to enhancing this reputation by working hard and addressing the drivers of crime," Inspector Guthrie said.

Southern District results

The Southern Police District achieved a further 5% decrease in reported crime in the year to 30 June 2014. This builds on the 5.1% decrease in reported crime recorded in the previous year to 30 June 2013.

District Commander Superintendent Andrew Coster said the latest figures reflect the continued steady reduction in crime that has occurred in the district since 2009. “It is pleasing to see this sustained reduction,” Superintendent Coster said.

“This is due, in no small part, to the hard work and professionalism of our own Police staff and our partner agencies that are absolutely committed to making our communities safer.”

“The Southern Police District is already one of the safest places in the country to live and visit and our goal is to make it even safer. Over the past year Southern has made some great gains and we're now in a position that many of the important structures that support our district prevention activities, such as the district command centre, are fully up and running. The command centre provides great support to our policing areas in terms of directing prevention activities and targeting crime. The realignment of our intelligence functions will also ensure that we increase the timeliness and relevance of the information that we're able to draw on to target the criminal activity and underlying drivers that cause harm in our communities."

Superintendent Coster said he is proud of the Police staff who have contributed to the ongoing success of the Southern Police district and says the district is going from strength to strength in terms of the progress being made to keep the community safe. " As well as our police work we have some fantastic partnerships with our community and other agencies that make a significant contribution to the gains we've been making and will continue to make."

ENDS

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