Bay of Plenty Police believes a focus on victims and prevention is having an impact on the level of record crime, with another significant reduction recorded in 2013.
Official crime statistics released today show recorded crime fell by 7.4 percent in the 2013 calendar year, following on from a 7.1 percent reduction in 2012, and bringing the District crime rate to the lowest since electronic records began in 1995.
On another positive note all four Areas within the Bay of Plenty District recorded a reduction, for the first time since 2008. Rotorua led the way in 2013 with a reduction of 11.2 percent, followed by Eastern Bay of Plenty with 7.9 percent, Taupo with 6.6 percent and Western Bay of Plenty with 4.2 percent.
The District has seen reductions in almost every crime category including:
- Acts intended to cause injury - 7.6 percent reduction (291 offences)
- Sexual assault and related offences - 23 percent reduction (73 offences)
- Burglary - 5.4 percent reduction (263 offences)
- Theft - 3.7 percent reduction (391 offences)
- Public order - 10.2 percent reduction (381 offences)
A 3.3 percent rise was recorded for 'robbery, extortion and related offences' and when broken down this equates to 4 blackmail or extortion offences and 1 additional robbery in the District during the year. A 20.2 percent increase was also recorded for 'abduction, harassment and other related offences against a person' entirely attributed to harassment and threatening behaviour.
Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Glenn Dunbier said: "The results are very pleasing and I believe they reflect the significant work that we are doing to prevent crime. It is particularly important that we never lose sight of the fact that there are victims linked to most of these recorded crimes, so reduction in the crime means a reduction in the number of people suffering trauma and that is at the heart of what we are working to achieve.
"Every day staff in the District are working tirelessly to identify what issues are affecting our communities and to find innovative ways to address those issues so that we can keep everyone safe, and stay one step ahead of the criminals”
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.