Labour spin can't hide rise in violent crime

Wednesday 2 Mar 2005

Dr Muriel Newman - Press Releases - Crime & Justice

ACT Deputy Leader and Police spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today said Kiwis would take cold comfort in the fact that violent crime is supposedly down in the last year given in reality violent crime has skyrocketed since Labour took office.

Violent crime in New Zealand has gone up 5,541 from 39,688 in 1999 to 45,229 last year.

"No matter how Police Minister George Hawkins tries to spin it, under Labour's soft-on-crime approach, violent crime has ballooned 14 percent since 1999," Dr Newman said.

Dr Newman said the recent murders of Marton pensioner Mona Morriss and Wanganui teenager Tania McKenzie highlighted Labour's failure to get on top of the problem.

"New Zealanders have a right to feel safe in their homes and on the streets. While the police are doing their best, they are under-staffed, under-resourced and under pressure".

Dr Newman said ACT would crack down on violent crime by recruiting an extra 2,150 officers to match the policing rate of Australia, which has 24 sworn officers per 10,000 people - compared to New Zealand's 18.

ENDS

© Scoop Media