ACT Leader Richard Prebble says he is mobilising public opinion to oppose police cuts for the Capital.

Starting this weekend, all households in Wellington Central will be asked their views on police numbers, crime and safety in Wellington.

Mr Prebble says he is extremely concerned that the recently completed Internal Police Review is reported to contain recommendations for cuts to police numbers in the Capital.

"Already we are under-resourced," Mr Prebble said. "Some nights there are as few as six police effectively on duty. Some nights there are no police for low priority burglaries. We need more police, not less."

The Wellington Central MP said he was hoping for a strong response from the public. "I am not only asking people's views on police numbers, but also checking to see how many of my constituents have been victims of crime in the last three years."

Mr Prebble will lead a delegation of Wellington MPs and local body leaders to the Minister of Police once the results of the survey are collected.

ENDS

Richard Prebble MP
Electorate Office
344 Tinakori Road
PO Box 647
Wellington
Telephone: 499 4905
Fax: 499 4906

Crime in Wellington is escalating. Burglary and car theft is increasing. Recent crime statistics released by police show only 714 of 7822 burglaries reported in Wellington in 1998-99 ended in the criminal being caught.

Constituents report to me long delays when reporting crime. Our police numbers are falling as crime increases. Right now there is a national review of police numbers and I have heard that Wellington is one of the three regions where substantial cuts in police numbers are being proposed.

Already we are under resourced. Included within Wellington police numbers are the special requirements of being the capital - the requirement to provide police protection to diplomats, VIPs and government. 79 of our police went off to Auckland for APEC!

Some nights there are as few as six police effectively on duty who may be over stretched handling traffic and problems in the inner city. Some nights there are no police for low priority burglaries. We need more police, not less.

I have made a strong representation to the Minister of Police not to reduce the Wellington police numbers. Further action is needed.

This letter is to seek your support. I want to demonstrate strong public opinion. I am going to lead a delegation to the Minister of Police opposing any reduction in Wellington police numbers. If you agree that we need more police - please fill out the response form and I will include it in my approach to the Minister of Police.

To keep Wellington a good place to live in, we must not allow the Government to strip our streets of our police protection.

Yours sincerely

Hon Richard Prebble CBE
LEADER, ACT NEW ZEALAND
MP, WELLINGTON CENTRAL

© Scoop Media