Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Police Pursuits Sky-rocket To Record High – So Police Stop Chasing

The latest fleeing driver statistics show the numbers of incidents sky-rocketing out of control through 2020 with Police deciding the only tactic is to give up on chasing altogether, says Sensible Sentencing Trust.

“The inconvenient truth is that Police have now decided to stop pursuing altogether because clearly, the numbers of incidents have ballooned out of control with no sign of stopping,” says Darroch Ball co-leader of Sensible Sentencing Trust.

“The number of pursuits has more than doubled from two thousand in 2009 to now being on track to be more than five thousand incidents in 2020; which will be a record number. That is nearly one hundred fleeing drivers every week.”

“During that same time-period Police have abandoned more and more pursuits; abandoning around 25% of all pursuits in 2009, to now abandoning a massive 65% in 2020. That’s a two in three chance for fleeing drivers to get away scot-free."

“Drivers now know all they have to do is drive dangerously, on the wrong side of the road, at high speeds, or put the public in danger, and the police must not pursue. It is any wonder why the numbers have gone through the roof.”

“What is astonishing, is that even through the month of the level-four lockdown last year there were 491 pursuits – a 40% increase on the same month the previous year, and the highest number for any month since records began.”

“Police have lost control of pursuits due to a lack of accountability and a ridiculous directive to not pursue.”

“It is sending the wrong message to criminals that they can get away by just putting their foot down.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.