New Zealand crime rate lowest on record
New Zealand crime rate lowest on record
Fiscal year crime statistics released today show recorded crime is continuing to drop, with a 5.2% decrease on the previous year.
There were 394,522 recorded offences in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, compared with 416,324 the previous year. This represents a decrease of 5.2% or 21,802 offences.
New Zealand’s resident population increased by 0.7% during that period, resulting in a 5.9% decrease in the number of offences recorded per 10,000 of population.
This is the lowest number of offences in any fiscal year since 1988-1989, and the lowest crime rate per head of population since before electronic records have been maintained.
Deputy Police Commissioner Viv Rickard says the results are very pleasing.
“These figures indicate that New Zealand is becoming a safer place to live. They will act as further motivation to keep our focus firmly on preventing crime before it happens,” he says.
The largest decrease was in Canterbury District, where recorded crime fell by 11.7%.
Following the earthquake there was a sudden large decrease in recorded theft and property damage offences. Offences at the less serious end of the spectrum reduced the most. Although small by value, these offences are large by volume.
“This decrease appears to be partly due to the public not wanting to bother us with minor matters when they knew we were dealing with the earthquake aftermath,” Mr Rickard says.
Other significant drops occurred in Southern (-11.2%); Counties Manukau (-9.4%) and Bay of Plenty (-8.6%).
The overall national resolution rate rose
slightly, from 47.3% in 2010-11 to 47.6% in
2011-12.
Homicide and related offending dropped by 20
offences (-21.5%). The number of murders rose by 9 (34 the
previous fiscal year rising to 43 this year). This is still
lower than in most years since electronic records began in
1995. Within this figure, there were 20 family violence
murders, which is the same number as the previous
year.
The latest figures also show that:
• Acts
intended to cause injury, which are mainly assault-related
offences, dropped by 6.8% (down 2,948 offences).
•
Sexual assault and related offences increased by 3.6% (121
offences). Sexual offending is known to be significantly
under-reported, so it is difficult to know to what extent
this increase is a result of increased reporting rather than
increased offending.
• Abduction, harassment and
other related offences against a person – dominated by
threatening behaviour – dropped by 10.2% (1,408 offences).
These offences are often at the less serious end of the
spectrum. The decrease may reflect proactive policing of
disorder or changing public tolerance of violent
behaviour.
• Robbery, extortion and related offences
were down by 8%.
• Unlawful entry with intent /
burglary / break and enter offences reduced by 3.4%. This
included a 1.6% reduction in dwelling burglaries. Much of
the drop in Canterbury is consistent with the population
shifting out of the CBD and Eastern areas and police
focussing on prevention.
• Theft and related
offences dropped by 5.2% (7,146 offences). This category
makes up approximately one third of all recorded offences.
Canterbury contributed a 14.3% reduction (2,187 offences) in
minor thefts for the reasons outlined above. Nationally,
there were fewer stolen vehicles than the previous year
(-3.5% from 20,345 to 19,642). Thefts from cars reduced even
more (-5.2% from 37,954 to 35,976).
• Illicit drug
offences rose 5.1%, from 20,973 to 22,052 offences. Within
this figure, recorded offences for drug use and possession
actually fell 5.6%. The increases in this category was
driven by a 72.2% increase in offences for dealing and
trafficking, which reflects proactive targeting of drug
dealers. There were 798 more recorded offences for supply /
administer / deal cannabis (+10.2%) and 532 more recorded
offences for supply / administer / deal methamphetamine and
amphetamine (+100.6%).
• Property damage and
environmental pollution offences fell by 9.4%. Most of these
offences relate to wilful damage (down 5.8%). However
recorded graffiti offences fell 30% from 7,238 to 5,069.
It’s likely that preventative policing is contributing to
these reductions.
• Public order offences decreased
by 3.5%. Auckland City however increased 46.3% due to
increased enforcement of liquor bans.
Mr Rickard says the continued drop in recorded crime is very encouraging.
"Although movements in crime statistics can be due to several factors, I believe we are seeing some traction from our Prevention First approach, particularly against prolific drug offenders, people who deface our public spaces with graffiti and those who create public disorder."
Mr Rickard says the really pleasing aspect of the drop in the number of recorded offences means fewer people have suffered the trauma associated with becoming a victim of crime.
"Victims are at the heart of everything we do. Stopping someone being a victim is stopping crime from happening. To make sure this is formally embedded in our approach, we're implementing an initiative called the Victim Focus Framework.
"This is about making victims the primary focus of the Police response and reducing repeat victimisation. By improving the way we interact with victims, we will reduce future demands on Police and create safer communities."
Mr Rickard is praising police staff
for their contribution to the continued drop in recorded
crime.
"I'd like to thank police staff for their hard
work and commitment to Prevention First.
"They've really picked up the ball and run with it. Around the country, police officers are taking a strategic approach to the offending and victimisation issues and they're working with individuals and organisations in their communities to make a positive impact on some clearly defined targets.
"We all know we're not done yet. But these latest crime statistics provide a very encouraging indicator that our work is paying dividends," Mr Rickard says.
ENDS