Crime in Otago Rural down 2.3%

Tuesday, 1 October 2013 - 11:13am

Southern

Total recorded crime in Otago Rural (the local authority areas of Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and Waitaki) continues its downward trend.

Otago Rural again recorded further reductions in the total amount of crime reported with a decrease of 2.3% in the year to 30 June 2013.

The total number of recorded offences in the year to 30 June 2013 was 4706, down from 4800 for the previous fiscal year.

"These figures continue to build on the significant crime reductions made over the past three years across Otago Rural and reflect the efforts of our staff in conjunction with our communities and partner agencies, in working hard to prevent and reduce crime," says Inspector Andrew Burns, relieving Area Commander, Otago Rural.

In the year to 30 June 2013, burglary and related offences decreased by 7.2% (25 fewer offences). Theft-related offences reduced by 9.3% (125 fewer offences). Public order offences increased by 5% (46 more offences), reflecting the more robust strategic focus on prevention tasks such as deploying high-visibility patrols at risk times and locations to reduce the opportunity of more serious offending occurring.

Crime prevention strategies continue to be the major focus for NZ Police. "Our approach begins with prevention and early intervention where possible, with a goal of stopping offending escalating and reducing the likelihood of a person becoming a victim," says Inspector Burns.

Our local deployment and tasking and co-ordination processes continue to ensure a strong and consistent focus in striving to prevent crime across the Otago Rural Area, he says.

There has been an increase in sexual assault and related offences 24% (6 additional offences) with a number of these offences relating to the increase reporting of historic offences to police.

Southern District results

Relieving Southern District Commander, Superintendent Richard Chambers says that the latest district-wide decrease in crime, the seventh consecutive decrease, reflects the work and commitment of Southern police staff.

In the year to 30 June 2013 total recorded crime reduced by 5.1% across Otago and Southland, a decrease of 1,133 recorded offences.

“This reduction in recorded offences also translates to fewer victims in our communities and means that we have fewer people who are suffering the negative impacts that crime can have both on individuals and on our communities.”

"We are also rating highly as a district in terms of the level of trust and confidence that Southern communities have in Police, demonstrating that many people in Southern not only are safe but feel safe, " he said.

"These latest crime figures continue to endorse the fact that we are directing our efforts in the right way, with a more targeted approach to tackling crime and a greater emphasis on preventing crime before it happens," he says.

"With the introduction of new systems over the past year, such as a centralised district file management centre and the mobility roll-out of I-Phones and I-Pads to staff - both aimed at reducing the burden of paper work on the frontline and getting more staff out on the streets - Southern is making even better gains in crime reduction and reducing victimisation in our communities," he says.

All three policing areas in Southern had contributed to the sustained decrease.

ENDS

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