North Shore Police Commander Inspector Les PATERSON says while the regions reported crime figures for 2006 are up by One per cent [1%] in raw numbers, but down by -1.5% when the population growth figure is included, overall he considers the calendar year result has ended very well.
The number of offences reported to local police in 2006, was 13,914. By comparison a total of 13,777 were recorded for the region in 2005. The population grew by over 2.5% so crime on the North Shore continues its downward trend Mr PATERSON said.
Violence is up slightly and it is a focus area for Policing in the Auckland Region, but North Shore retains its position as the most violence free city in New Zealand. We will not rest on our laurels and with our police partners across Auckland we will work hard to make streets and homes safer.
Increases in street robberies by young people have also been the major contributor to violence offences, and police have recently responded to community concerns with a major operation. The outcome is a decline in this offending, he said.
These offenders are in the 14-16 year old age group. Stand-over tactics are used to steal cell phones and cash off peers of a similar age. Much of the activity takes place in or around schools and central business locations and is most constant in the peak hours of lunchtime, and after school. Police visibility has been enhanced with all North Shore police staff, regardless of position, working shifts and carrying out frontline patrols in the high risk locations.