Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman
30 December 2007

2006/07 top 10 violent crime areas

The relentless upward spiral in violent crime remains the most concerning aspect of law and order in New Zealand, says National's Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

"It's time the Labour Government admitted it is not on top of violent crime."

He is releasing a list of the top 10 crime areas that not only confirm the ever-worsening violent crime figures but throw up some surprising and worrying realities.

"Many people will be surprised - and very worried - to see how high serious crime is in their area.

"These figures show the problem is not restricted to one or two areas, and they bear out the fact that people feel less safe in their homes and neighbourhoods than ever - and it's getting worse.

"Labour crows about how it is on top of crime, but these figures show clearly that violent crime in 2006/07 continued the upward trend evident since this Government was elected.

"Violent crime rose 4.4% last year, with grievous assaults up 10%, serious assaults 4.8%, and intimidation and threats up 5%.

"But much more concerning is the alarming rise in violence and sex crimes since Labour became Government. Violent crime has risen 32%, from 40,090 to 52,883 offences, with robberies up 55%, grievous assaults up 70%, serious assaults up 35.8%, with sex crimes up 15% to 3,607 offences.

"And Labour is making it worse. They are letting violent people out on electronic bail and home detention by applying the wrong criteria.

"They have just made it easier for people to get bail, and to stay on bail when conditions are breached. Latest figures show that the number of incidents of people failing to report for bail has risen by 151% since 1999 - from 3,227 to 8,097.

"Labour are doing this to ease the pressure on the prison population, but all it's doing is putting people on the streets who would otherwise be in prison.

"This is all about crimes against people, and this Government is not delivering safer communities. If we are to get on top of violent crime and drugs we must give police the tools to protect the public and deal to the gangs. National has promised to do that."

ENDS

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