Wednesday 31st Jan 2001 Ken Shirley Media Release -- Justice

Front-line police should be congratulated for doing a good job in difficult circumstances, ACT police spokesperson Ken Shirley said today.

However, Mr Shirley warned against celebrating a victory in the war on crime.

"The crime which literally hits home for the most New Zealanders is burglary.

“There has been a reduction in the number of reported break-ins. But we have police to catch crooks, and they reduced by over 30 in January alone, from 7086.5 to 7055.09. During the same period non-sworn police staff have increased.

Ken Shirley said Labour couldn't use these latest figures to claim it's been tough on crime.

"2001 will be an even greater test for front-line police, as they try to do their job without experienced senior officers and support staff, fewer police and with stretched resources. Police should be out fighting crime, not bogged down fighting a bureaucratic paper-war," Ken Shirley said.

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