release embargoed 10am
for full statistics please go to www.stats.govt.nz
Crime statistics released today show that Canterbury District experienced a 7% increase in recorded crime for the year. Recorded offences rose from 48,722 in 2007/08 to 52,173 in 2008/09.
Statistics also show that resolution rate decreased from 43.7% to 42.8%.
Canterbury District Commander Dave Cliff says that while Recorded Violence rose 11.4% in 2008/09, the rise was largely driven by increases in three offence classes:
• Grievous Assaults – up by 24% from 356 to 442 recorded offences,
• Serious Assaults – up by 13% from 1,467 to 1,660 recorded offences, and
• Minor Assaults – up by 9% from 1,635 to 1,778 recorded offences.
"The increase is of concern, however the resolution rate for crimes of violence is reassuring at 83.3%," says Superintendent Dave Cliff, District Commander Canterbury.
"Violence begins in the home where it is learned," says Superintendent Cliff. "We want to tackle the crime so it is no longer learned in the home environment."
Police in Christchurch are in the process of setting up Area based Family Violence Teams, which will be headed by Detective Sergeants based at Papanui, Christchurch Central and Christchurch South. These teams will complement the work being done already by the Family Safety Team.
"The 'It's not okay' - Family Violence Campaign is encouraging victims to come forward and we want to be able to deal with these crimes in an even more coordinated way through our new Area based teams," says Superintendent Dave Cliff. "We have deliberately placed these teams under the supervision of Detective Sergeants as Family Violence is not just another incident, it's a crime and we investigate it as a crime. Reducing family violence is a real priority for us and we regard this as one of ways we can prevent long term offending by ensuring our youngest are not being exposed to violence in the home".
In addition to this Police are currently reviewing rostering practices. This is to ensure that more patrols are available when alcohol related violence and disorder peaks.
"Alcohol remains our single biggest crime generator and we want more staff available to deal with this problem when it peaks, particularly on weekend evenings," Dave Cliff emphasises.
The factors dominating the increase in recorded Drugs and Anti-Social offences are Breach of liquor ban offences, Disorder offences, and Drugs (Cannabis offences) which rose 49%, 14%, and 9%, respectively. However Drugs (New Drugs) offences reduced over the same period with 24 fewer offences.
"This increase has been driven by the 'no tolerance' approach that Police adopted in 2008. We aim specifically at this alcohol and drug related offending as we know that intoxicated people are more likely to become either the victims of crime or offenders. These offences are very much a product of active, preventive policing."
Recorded Dishonesty offences increased 5% in 2008/09. This increase resulted mainly from increases in Fraud and Burglary offences, which rose 27% and 13% respectively. Police remain concerned about the increase in dishonestly offending.
"Locally we have committed staff to operations targeting house burglary in particular. What has been noted is that while house burglary has risen, commercial burglaries have decreased," says Dave Cliff. "It is very clear that offenders are actively targeting student addresses and appear to be mainly focusing on laptops, ipods, flat screen televisions and other electronic entertainment equipment. Items targeted are usually easily carried and subject to `supply and demand'. If offenders couldn't sell these items, they wouldn't be stolen." (For crime prevention advice please see www.police.govt.nz).
The increase in Property Damage offences resulted entirely from a 10% increase in offences related to Destruction of Property. There has been a particularly marked increase in Arson offences, with 642 more offences in 2008/09. Wilful Damage offences increased by 117 offences.
"Police have developed an excellent partnership with the New Zealand Fire Service that has seen a significant improvement in the capture of intelligence around minor vegetation fires in particular. This is allowing police to have a far clearer picture of when and where fires are being lit."
Superintendent Cliff says that the 16% increase in Administrative offences was driven entirely by 'Failure to Answer Bail' offences, which increased by 251 from 694 recorded offences in 2007/08 to 945 in 2008/09.
"Again as part of our `no tolerance' approach, Police have been very active in checking offenders who are on bail. Where they are breaching conditions or fail to appear at Court, we have ensured they have been held accountable. Police will be continuing with this approach."
END