Sunday 19 August 2001

Police crime statistics for the year ended 30 June 2001 are likely to be released this week. National's Police Spokesman Tony Ryall says when you cut through the Government's spin it is clear that violent crime is on the rise again.

"Overall total crime will be down again, due to the Police's excellent work with burglary and property crimes. However, violent crime will be up across the country, with the violent crime rate (crime per head of population) at a historic high. These figures don't include domestic violence.

"National has predicted this increase for some months based on our feedback from police and communities around the country.

"When you have fewer Police, you get more crime. The cutbacks to frontline police numbers have meant violent crime prevention has suffered. And a whole lot of innocent people have been beaten, mugged and attacked as a result.

"The answer is for the Government to make reducing violent crime a dual priority with domestic burglary. Police have proven that a keen focus on burglary can reduce that crime, and a similar effort on violence can do the same.

"Sadly for the victims, the Government keeps pretending that because burglary is dropping there's no problem with violent crime. Looking behind the spin shows a worrying trend.

"After three years of decline, the violent crime statistics for the year ended 31 December 2000 showed sexual offences up 9.5% and violent offences up 4.7%, including robbery up 12.2%, grievous assaults up 8.8% and serious assaults up 5.1%. The violent crime statistics for the year ended 30 June 2001 will show another grim picture," Mr Ryall said.

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