The Government's pre-budget burglary announcement is a slap over the wrist with a damp pledge card for burglars, says Opposition Police spokesman Brian Neeson.

"One of Labour's seven election pledges was to crack down on burglary. The small amount they have allocated today hardly constitutes a crackdown.

"By contrast, the Prime Minister delivered a $120 million 'crack down' on the arts only a few weeks ago. The amount allocated to burglary this year is comparable with what was given to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

"While it's nice to know the future of the NZSO is secure, New Zealanders want to know their homes are secure. This Government needs to get its priorities straight.

"Of the three new initiatives announced today, two were already well underway under National and work had started on the third. It's about time the Government came up with some ideas of its own.

"Labour inherited a downward trend in the rate of burglaries. We will be monitoring their success in continuing this trend.

"At the end of the day burglars should be caught and that is what the Government should be focussing on in next weeks budget. The test for this Government will be whether they can front up with the funding to continue to put more police on the beat," Mr Neeson said.

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