Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Drop in crime springboard for new Waikato initiatives

Drop in crime springboard for new Waikato initiatives

Waikato Police use crime reductions as springboard for new initiatives

Figures released today detailing an overall reduction in recorded crime across the Waikato over the past financial year are being used as the launch pad for new initiatives.

Police District Commander, Superintendent Win van der Velde said total recorded for the Waikato fell by 1.8 percent.

"This figure incorporates 656 fewer offences being recorded in our District during 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, which is against an increase in New Zealand's population of 1.2 percent.

"With new initiatives coming on line such as Neighbourhood Policing Teams, alternative resolutions, corporate partnerships and truancy programmes we expect to build on these gains and have set a target of a 10 percent overall reduction in crime by June next year."

Mr van der Velde, said the trending down of some crime groups, particularly dishonesty offending, was pleasing and something Waikato residents highlighted as a major priority.

"Unlawful entry with intent/burglary and breaking and entering fell by 9.7 per cent, a reduction of 580 offences. This was led by a 23 per cent reduction in residential burglaries in Hamilton. As we head into the busy summer period it's vital that we build on these gains.
"To reach our goal we need the community to work alongside us. Our focus over the next year will be on tackling drug and organised crime, crash reduction, youth and alcohol offending and working alongside at risk families."
There were nine homicide related offences recorded over the past financial year, three less than the year before. Five suspicious deaths were recorded as murder while there were three attempted murder offences and one manslaughter/driving causing death.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Behind those figures are people who are no longer with their loved ones, whose hopes and dreams have been cut short, the objective now is to ensure other families don't face similar tragedy.”

While three suspicious deaths involved a component of family violence the level of family violence overall across the District fell 4.1 per cent or 205 offences from 5059 to 4854.
Public Order offences dropped 4.1 per cent or by 144 offences to 3384

"The drop in family violence and public order offences reflects the efforts that have gone in by Police, together with partner agencies, to address public place incidents and violence in the home."

Other offence divisions to drop included:

• Acts intending to cause injury, which includes most assaults, dropped 3.9 per cent or 154 offences to 3793.
• Robbery, extortion and related offences down 7 per cent or 16 offences to 213
• Illicit drug offences down 13.1 per cent or 291 offences to 1925
• Prohibited and regulated weapons and explosives offences down 3 per cent or 17 offences to 557
• Offences against Justice procedures down 7.7 per cent or 137 offences to 1647
• Miscellaneous offences down 10.7 per cent from 84 to 75
Mr van der Velde said while these crime reductions were welcome, there is always room for improvement and with a greater focus on prevention and disruption techniques further reductions will be achieved.


End

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.