Crime hits 17-year low in Tasman

Tuesday, 1 October 2013 - 11:01am

Tasman

Total crime across Tasman Police District, which includes Nelson Bays, Marlborough and the West Coast of the South Island, has dropped to the lowest level recorded since 1995.

Tasman District also recorded the highest crime resolution rate in New Zealand, at 56.7% and had one of the highest staff engagement levels in this year's workplace survey.

For the year July 2012 to June 2013 14,766 offences were recorded across the District, a drop of more than 2000 offences from the previous year in which Tasman recorded 16,886 crimes. Total crime has been trending downwards since 2008-2009 when it reached a high of 18,450.

In the last fiscal year public place assaults also dropped to the lowest level in more than a decade, with 509 offences recorded. This compares with 641 recorded in the 2011-2012 year.

Serious assaults resulting in injury have also declined, dropping from 442 in the 2011-2012 year to 364 in the current year.

Tasman District Commander Superintendent Richard Chambers said the results gave a clear picture that the proactive preventative approach being taken by Police across Tasman District was having a positive effect.

"Our focus has been on reducing crime and victimisation and the hard work of staff must not be under estimated."

While public place and serious assaults had declined, dwelling assaults had risen to the highest level recorded since 1995, at 973 and up marginally from last year's total of 942.

The number of burglaries recorded was at the lowest level since 2007, with 1314 offences recorded. Public order offences were also down -11.6%.

The number of vehicles stolen has reached a new low, with 260 recorded in the 2012-2013 year, down from 270 the previous year and well down on the high recorded in 1996-1997 of 517.

Superintendent Chambers said the results were a credit to the Police Officers working across the Tasman District.

"My team takes great pride in the work they do and I am very proud of their achievements. Tasman District has committed and personable staff who work hard to make a difference," he said.

In Marlborough, Police have made good progress addressing crimes involving injury and dishonesty.

Acts Intended to Cause Injury were reduced by -23.9%, with 413 offences recorded. Of those offences, 89.6% were resolved.

Dangerous or Negligent Acts Endangering Persons were also reduced by 38.9%, with only 11 offences recorded.

Marlborough Area Commander Inspector Simon Feltham said it was great to see progress in reducing the number of injuries to people, however there was still work to be done.

Marlborough also recorded significant reductions in dishonesty offences. Unlawful Entry/Burglary offences were down -19%, whole Theft and Related offences were down -25.6% and Fraud offences were down -39.2%.

Inspector Feltham said those results were directly attributable to the Prevention work being done in Marlborough.

In Nelson Bays Public Order offending continues to decline, with a -5.6% reduction for the 2012-13 year.

Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Steve Greally said that while the trend was positive there was no intention for Police to lessen their focus on the drivers of crime, including inner city hot spots.

Acts Intended to Cause Injury have also declined by -2.7%.

Preventative policing has also resulted in a -5.9% reduction in theft and related offences.

On the West Coast Dangerous and Negligent Acts were down -42.9%, with only four offences recorded for the year.

Reported Theft and related offences were down -12.5%, from 577 offences in 2011-12 to 505 offences in 2012-13. Property and Environmental Damage was also down  -15%, along with Public Order offences, which were down -20%.

West Coast Area Commander Inspector John Canning said Police on the Coast were continuing to drive crime down.

"I'd have to say, this is still a very safe place to live," he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media