With total crime in the Waitemata Police District coming down and the resolution of crime going up it has been an exceptional year for the community and staff according to the District Police Commander.
Superintendent Viv RICKARD says the District performed well in terms of theft ex cars and vehicle crime and we've made an important impact on burglary offences in most areas.
Superintendent RICKARD says 39,122 offences were reported to Police in the District in the past financial year. The District recorded 40,061 offences in 2005/06. This signifies a 2.3% drop in total recorded crime over the previous year. I am aware that "stats" are only part of the picture. We have been hearing "loud and clear" from our community that they want to see the human side of Policing. As a result we have spent more time getting Police men and women on the beat and engaging with our communities.
"Waitemata Police District includes North Shore, Rodney, Waitakere, and Motorways. We resolved 50% of all crimes. It's a most satisfying and creditable outcome," he said.
"However, one disappointing factor is the rise in violent crime. To combat this development we will increase our focus on both alcohol enforcement and public place enforcement and in particular target those locations and times that are causing us problems."
"Violence Category crime in the past year has increased by 11.6%. This is almost solely attributable to the 22.5% increase in recorded family violence offences. There were 5,694 Violence Category offences reported. Of these 44.9% can be directly linked or associated to family violence."
"It doesn't come as any surprise either that a lot of our violence is driven by alcohol and to a certain extent drugs. We know there's a large amount of violence that's going unreported."
"Staff are engaged in initiatives that reflect the emphasis on family violence in this District. Police are working closely with selected community groups and local bodies, plus many central government and non government agencies."
"Often Police are the agency of last resort. Ownership of family violence is now more readily accepted by all sectors of the community. We have made it clear that family violence is not acceptable.
"One area that is an enigma in this District is Road Policing," he said.
"Excellent work is being done in this area by numerous dedicated staff yet we still get too many fatalities as well as the serious crashes with injuries."
"Intersections too, are a real problem in our cities and towns."
"I'm astonished at the number of people continually drinking and driving."
"To reduce the victims of road trauma we will further increase our focus on changing driver behaviour and attitudes through enforcement. I also know that high visibility and strong road policing helps us to reduce crime."
"A clear example of this is the success enjoyed by our Traffic Alcohol Group (TAG) operations in CBD localities. The impact on disorder and violence has been immediate."
"I also acknowledge the public and our partners. The public can make a significant contribution to community safety. They can play their part by securing their personal property, keeping their cars and vehicles locked, while ensuring valuables are not visible."
"Every member of the community has an important role in preventing burglaries and other crime. We encourage the public to always contact us about any suspicious activity."
"Our job is about people. It's about reducing the victims of crime and road trauma and keeping our community safe," Superintendent RICKARD said.
The Waitakere Police Commander Inspector Mark O'CONNOR says there were 18,936 recorded offences in Waitakere, compared to 18,839 offences the previous year and represents only 0.5% increase. The 53% resolution of all reported crimes is one of the highest in the country and reflects a continuing commitment to policing excellence by all staff.
"Violent behaviour increased in West Auckland in the past fiscal year. Strategies have been introduced to reduce the victims of violent behaviour and attacks. These include strengthening police partnerships with Council to increase CCTV coverage, closer engagement by Maori and Pacific Wardens, and increased policing visibility via our Community Constables. We are also working with Council, schools and the business community to stop truancy as another initiative to help reduce violence and make the central sectors of our towns and city safe," Inspector O'CONNOR said.
North Shore Police Commander Inspector Les PATERSON says the crime results recently achieved for the city in the past financial year have been outstanding.
There was a 7.7% reduction in the total amount of crime reported to Police. During the financial year ending 30 June 2007, there were 13,079 recorded offences on the North Shore, compared to 14,175 offences the previous year.
"This is a fantastic achievement for the North Shore and once again it places the North Shore as the safest city in New Zealand per head of population," Inspector PATERSON said. North Shore City was also recently awarded "Safe City" status by the World Health Organisation and a key component of the award relates to its policing initiatives and low crime figures," Inspector PATERSON said.
The Rodney Police Commander Inspector Janet HOPE says the crime results recently achieved by all her staff in the past financial year are very gratifying.
During the year ending 30 June 2007, there were 6, 893 recorded offences in Rodney, compared to 6,760 the previous year. "Police solved 48.9% of all crime in the area."
"The use of and manufacture of methamphetamine in Rodney continues to influence criminal offending and alcohol is a common factor with disorder and violence offending."
"Increased reporting of anti social offences reflects the mood of the community that this behaviour is not acceptable and remains a strong focus for Police."
"A reduction in fatal road deaths in Rodney from 24 to 15 is an excellent result. Rodney Police acknowledge the continued support of Rodney District Council and ACC in implementing road safety initiatives. One road death is one too many and road safety will remain a priority," Inspector HOPE said.
Superintendent RICKARD says, "results are an indication of how well we are doing, however it's not just what the results are but how they are achieved. I applaud all staff in this District, our partner agencies and the community for their efforts in the past financial year,"