Not only did recorded crime in Central District fall during 2009, but the number of offences resolved increased.
Crime statistics released today show that the District experienced a 3% decrease in recorded crime in the 12 months ending 31 December 2009 on the previous year with total offences down from 33,246 to 32,314.
Central Police resolved 49.6% of recorded offences in the same period, up slightly from 49.0% the previous year, and above the national average of 47.8%.
District Commander for Central District, Superintendent Russell Gibson, puts the crime reduction down to strong team work. "It is incredibly pleasing to see that our crime has fallen and that we are bucking national trends. It is not only testament to the superb efforts of my staff but demonstrates the cohesion we have with a host of community partners who are working together with a 'prevention is better than cure' mindset.
"Our work, particularly around liquor legislation, low level disorder and drugs, shows that if you nip offences in the bud at those very early stages you can have some success in preventing the escalation of more serious offending."
Within the total volume of recorded crime, some types of offences have increased, whilst others have decreased.
Increases included Drugs and Anti-Social offences, which rose 16%, and Violence offences which rose 4.5%. There were reductions in all the other offence categories, with the greatest volume reduction in Dishonesty offences, down 1,033 offences (-6%) on 2008.
The 4.5% increase in the total number of recorded Violence offences has been driven entirely by an increase in recorded family violence, which increased 15%. The results are consistent with the national picture, where we have seen significant increases in recorded family violence offences since the roll-out of mandatory training to all front-line staff in 2007 and publicity campaigns about family violence. Many people may now be reporting to Police family violence offences which in the past may not have come to Police attention. What these figures do tell us is that Police are dealing with more matters as family violence offences.
The factors dominating the increase in recorded Drug and Antisocial offences are Drugs (Cannabis) offences and Disorder offences both showing an 8% increase. This reflects proactive efforts of Police to focus on this type of offending.
Central District recorded a reduction in Dishonesty offences for the third consecutive calendar year, with a 6% decrease in 2009 - from 16,465 recorded offences in 2008 to 15,432 in 2009. Driving the reduction in 2009 were decreases in Theft offences (-611 offences, down 7%), Burglary offences (-186 offences, down 4%) and Car conversion offences (-151 offences, down 8%). There were also reductions in all the remaining classes of Dishonesty offences.
Note: The Central Police District incorporates the Territorial Local Authorities of New Plymouth, Stratford, South Taranaki, Whanganui, Rangitikei, Ruapehu, Manawatu, Tararua, Palmerston North and Horowhenua. Policing services in the District are managed by six Area Commanders who will be providing more detailed information on the crime statistics from their Area perspective.
Area Contacts are:
New Plymouth - Inspector Fiona Prestidge - 06 759 5501
Taranaki Rural (Hawera) - Acting Inspector Terry Van Dillen - 06 278 0286
Whanganui - Inspector Duncan Macleod - 06 349 0634
Ruapehu (Taumarunui) - Inspector Steve Mastrovich - 07 895 5744
Palmerston North - Inspector Pat Handcock - 06 351 3836
Palmerston North Rural - Acting Inspector Brett Calkin - 06 351 2531
District media enquiries should be referred to Zane Kearns on 06 351 2511.