Fiscal Year Wellington District Police Crime Statistics

Wellington Police District's total recorded crime in the 12 months ending 30 June 2009 has increased from the previous year.

The crime statistics released today show a 9.2% increase in recorded crime for the year ending 30 June 2009 compared to the previous year.

Wellington Police resolved 45.1% of recorded offences in the year ended 30 June 2009, up from 44.8% the previous year.

The rise in total recorded crime has been driven by increases in three offence categories:

• Drugs and Anti-Social offences – up by 24% from 5,677 to 7,062 recorded offences,
• Dishonesty – up by 9% from 22,488 to 24,521 recorded offences,
• Property Damage – up by 7% from 6,100 to 6,515 recorded offences, and

The factors dominating the increase in recorded Drugs and Antisocial offences are Drugs (Cannabis) offences (+516 offences), Breach of Liquor Ban offences (+464 offences), and Drugs (New Drugs) offences (+208 offences).

Increased figures in these areas were influenced by Police proactively focusing on detecting alcohol and drug offences around shopping precincts, CBDs and other public places.

"Our aim is to ensure people in our communities can enjoy a safe night out. Part of that is preventing people from offending or becoming victimised because of their impaired state," says acting District Commander, Superintendent Gail Gibson.

"Alcohol and drugs can be significant drivers behind other public place offences such as assaults and robberies. I'm pleased with the district's focus and commitment to dealing with these issues and their work is reflected in the statistics. We'll continue as a district to maintain a focus on reducing public place violence."

The increase in new drug offences is because of a number of successful operations targeting new drugs and cannabis growing across the district. One operation has seen 90 people arrested and charged with over 200 serious offences including drug possession and dealing, firearms and weapons.
Approximately 1300 cannabis plants collected from the Wairarapa alone were destroyed as a result of one operation. Another operation identified and broke a national drugs ring involving over $1m of GBL (commonly known as 'Fantasy', or 'the date rape drug' for its sedative qualities) from reaching their intended market.

Dishonesty offences increased by 2,033 offences in 2008/09. This was driven mainly by the increases in Theft offences (+761), Car Conversion offences (+659), Burglary offences (+365), and Fraud offences (+227).

A number of these offences were committed simply because of easy opportunities allowing a small number of burglars to commit a large number of offences before they were apprehended and charged.

Insecure doors and windows have provided almost effortless access for burglars to enter homes. High value electronic items such as laptops, i-pods, games consoles and flat screen TVs continue to be targeted commodities.

"Our staff has been doing excellent work this past year to apprehend some prolific burglars, but that is not a call for communities to become lax about personal security," says Superintendent Gibson.

"People should continue to make themselves aware of crime prevention measures such as properly securing doors and windows and calling Police when they see suspicious behaviour."

The increase in Property Damage, which rose to 6,515 offences this year from 6,100 last year was driven entirely by the increase in Wilful Damage offences (+501).

The district is targeting graffiti through community policing strategies by issuing offenders with 'sentences' to paint out graffiti in urban centres. The rise in statistics is due partly to more calls to Police from public knowledge of such schemes creating a lower public tolerance for property damage.

"Positive results from these strategies are already becoming evident and hopefully the district will continue to work towards strong results in the coming years," says Superintendent Gibson. "These strategies have been made possible by the partnerships Police have with local council and businesses. The approach is clearly making inroads into property-related offences such as graffiti and I'm confident these partnerships will continue to achieve good results in the coming year."

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