Kelvin Davis

MP for Te Tai Tokerau
Acting Police Spokesperson

MEDIA STATEMENT

22nd April 2016

Fewer cops on the beat as police cuts bite

National’s cuts to the police budget have led to big reductions in foot patrols and police struggling to cover the same ground with less resource, says Labour’s acting Police spokesperson Kelvin Davis.

“The number of foot patrols by police fell by 10% nationwide over the last year. That’s a big drop in just 12 months. In Auckland, it was even worse, with 13% fewer foot patrols over that time.

“Having cops walking the beat is a key part of keeping our communities safe. It sends a message to criminals and acts as a real deterrent.

“Police budgets have been forced to absorb $300 million in cost pressures. We are now seeing the results – fewer cops on the beat and more crimes like burglary going unresolved because officers simply don’t have the resources they need.

“If National is serious about keeping our communities safe, they need to give our police the support they need to do their job and keep officers on the beat,” says Kelvin Davis.

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