Another PR Spin Rehash from Police Minister

Monday 9th Apr 2001 Ken Shirley Media Release -- Other

ACT Police Spokesman Ken Shirley congratulated Police Minister George Hawkins for accomplishing yet another rehash of the crime statistics for the 2000 year, but questioned when the Minister would be releasing fresh figures.

“We’ve been repeatedly asking the Minister through Parliamentary questions and Official Information Act requests to provide up-to-date crime statistics for the 2001 year so far, but nothing has been forthcoming. Instead he keeps revisiting the figures for last year.

“In any case, despite his attempts to put a another positive spin on last year’s figures, the figures are of great concern. This is evidenced by the 10 percent rise in sex crimes nationally and a staggering 48 percent rise in sex crimes reported in Auckland. All this on top of the 5 percent rise in all violent crime.

“It would be of great concern to everyone if these trends have continued this year. ACT urges Mr Hawkins to stop dwelling on the old figures and release up-to-date ones, so the public may know just what the picture is,” Ken Shirley said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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