2 March 2005

Crime Reduction Means Police Can Make A Difference

"The areas of crime investigation that police have focused on have brought about the greatest reduction in crime," NZ Police Association President, Mr O'Connor said.

"Police have been concentrating on reducing volume crime, you can see this with burglary in particular, which has reduced markedly," said Mr O'Connor. "This is overwhelming evidence that good policing can reduce crime, however the increase in serious violent crime is evidence that the consumption and dealing in Meth and "P" is still rife.

"This is one of the areas of Policing, which receives the least focus and this shows in this years statistics." Mr O'Connor called on government to ensure that NZ police numbers are brought into line with other western countries, so the fight against crime can focus across the whole spectrum of offending.

"If the government ensures NZ Police numbers are brought into line with other western countries, then we will see crime reduce across the whole spectrum of offending, especially serious violent crime."

"It is worth noting that again the injection of sorely needed frontline police into the Auckland and Counties Manukau districts, have had a huge impact on bringing crime down. If this can be done in Auckland, imagine the impact more frontline police would have across crime. It's that age-old fear of getting caught."

Mr O'Connor praised staff for their efforts "Despite recent criticisms, NZ can be proud they have one of the most efficient police forces in the world."

ENDS

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