Andrew Little

Leader of the Opposition

MEDIA STATEMENT

31 August 2016

National’s police cuts to blame for increase in crime

A large increase in crime throughout the country is a direct result of National’s cuts to police which have let down communities by failing to keep them safe, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little.

“The latest crime statistics released today show increases in crime from July 2014 compared to July 2016.

“Burglaries are up 29%, robberies are up 44% and assaults have increased by 10% compared to this time two years ago.

“John Key has broken his own 2008 election promise to have one police officer for every 500 people. There is now one police officer to every 526 people.

“Police are desperately under-resourced and have been told there will be no staffing increases until 2020.

“It’s unsurprising the regions are experiencing massive crime hikes with Rotorua burglaries up 66%, and up 100% in the Hutt Valley.

“National has failed to ensure police numbers keep up with population growth.

“Labour welcomes the Police Minister’s call for police to attend every burglary as over 90% remain unsolved. But with no plan, timeline or police numbers, this is just talk.

“The Government needs to ensure more funding for police to keep communities safe,” Andrew Little says.

ends

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