Northland District Police
Walton Plaza, Whangarei
Monday April 2, 2007.

Drop in recorded crime for Northland

Northland Police District's total recorded crime has dropped for the year ending December 2006.

The crime statistics released today show an eight percent drop in recorded crime for the six months to December 2006 compared to the six-month period to December 2005.

A comparison of the figures for the full calendar years in 2006 and 2005 have not been given as police crime recording practices changed mid way through 2005 which make full year comparisons unreliable.

One of the major factors in the decrease has been an 83 percent decrease in new drugs (methamphetamine).

In 2005 there was a significant increase in this category due to two major operations, Maverick and Tui, which focused on the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine.

During these operations 75 arrests were made and up to 300 indictable drug dealing charges were laid.

The decrease this year is due the recorded offences going down after the spike recorded during the two operations.

Northland District Police Commander Superintendent Mike Rusbatch says police are continuing to carry out proactive work in relation to drugs and organised crime.

As the new District Commander for Northland Mr Rusbatch says he wants to continue prioritising drugs and alcohol due to their role as key drivers of crime.

Northland Police is currently carrying out its phase of Operation Amanda, a significant national drug and crime operation operation, which is producing successful results.

Total violent offences have dropped by 8.7 percent, which goes against national trends.

However, reported family violence offences have increased.
The Far North had 34 of the 60 recorded family violence offences (male assaults female).

Mr Rusbatch says the district has been implementing a range of processes to improve the reporting and recording of family violence incidents and offences.

"This work has been enhanced by the introduction of a new District Family Violence Co-ordinator, who has a focus on the Far North area.
The increase in family violence offences is seen as a positive indicator that our efforts in this area are delivering desired results."

Vehicle crime has decreased by 16 percent in Northland, which is a pleasing result, says Mr Rusbatch.

Mr Rusbatch says police have continued to focus on public place disorder and consumption of alcohol and this has resulted in an increase in apprehensions for breach of liquor bans.

"This is a proactive and positive attempt to reduce a range of offending in some hot spot locations."

Wilful damage offences increased by 11.6 percent, with a majority of these (86.4 percent) occurring the Far North.

Once again the increase is driven by an increase in reported tagging.
Population growth in some areas of the Far North is also likely to be a factor in the increase.

Mr Rusbatch says the fact that recorded crime is down on last year shows that the District's visible and proactive policing is making headway.

He says some of the increases in reported crime, such as family violence, reflected improved engagement with police, the trust and confidence that the public had in police, and the increase in demand for their services.

Mr Rusbatch acknowledged the hard work of police staff members and the partnerships between Northland Police and community groups in helping to reduce crime.

Full details of the 2006 crime stats are available on www.stats.govt.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media