Asenati Lole-Taylor MP
Associate Spokesperson for Law and Order

1 October 2013

Crime Statistics Don’t Mean Less Crime

The latest crime statistics are no cause for gloating by the Police Minister who should be redoubling efforts to get more front line police back in action, says associate Law and Order spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor.

Mrs Lole-Taylor says although offending is reported to be seven per cent down over all, sex crimes have increased dramatically and family violence is not included in the numbers.

“For example, the crime statistics show that sexual assault offences in the Counties Manukau District have increased by 18.2 per cent, from 401 in the 2011/2012 period to 474 in 2012/2013.

“Sexual assault offences have increased, and it is unacceptable to say that this is due to cultural and attitudinal changes in people reporting this type of criminal offending.”

Mrs Lole-Taylor says many crimes are still unreported and the latest figures should not be used to reduce police numbers any further.

“Statistics can easily be manipulated to hide areas which have not reduced and need more attention,” she says.

ENDS

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