EMBARGOED until the official release of the Quality of Life Survey
at 1am on Monday 6 April 2009
Christchurch is the safest NZ city and people should not be afraid say Christchurch Police.
"Many perceptions about safety in Christchurch are not based on fact," says Christchurch Central Area Controller, Inspector Derek Erasmus. "Christchurch remains the safest large city in New Zealand with 100 violence offences recorded per 10,000 population; which is lower than Auckland, South Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington."
Christchurch has the lowest percentage of its population which feels safe in the city centre after dark according to the 2008 Quality of Life in 12 NZ cities report released today.
Inspector Erasmus says that incidents of serious violence are highlighted by local media yet there are less than in other major centres. The greatest influence on people's perception of their safety is the media and police note the big impact media play on how safe they believe they are.
"This is very disappointing given that reality does not support these fears," says Central Commander Inspector Derek Erasmus. "Police have been working closely with other agencies and in particular the Council to alleviate these concerns."
"When people are concerned about violence it is in the home that most people are likely to face a violent offence. In Christchurch city alone there are on average each year about 7000 family violence incidents."
Since the survey was completed there has been the introduction of Safer City officers and greater enhancement of the crime cameras.
'We welcome a joint agency approach with the Christchurch City Council in promoting Safe City officers in the central city at nights to increase the perception of enforcement, also to be an extension of police in areas where people tend to congregate, " he says.
25 new crime cameras have been funded by the Christchurch City Council to target city 'hotspots' and are in the process of being installed. These will increase the areas covered and the quality of recording.
"These will give greater protection to the public and allow police to extend their assistance," says Derek Erasmus. "The best location for cameras is constantly assessed and they are relocated to suit demand and social movement in city. The cameras' prime focus for police is public safety as a deterrent, and locating offenders."
Incidents most reported by volunteers relate to suspicious activity, fighting, disorder, assault, intoxicated persons, drugs, intentional damage, graffiti, offensive behaviour.
Violence is often the result of excess alcohol, affecting offenders and victims. Changes to city liquor bans have been recently open for public submission. Changes sought by the CCC and police include extending the city to the other side of the four avenues, the Avon River along Park Tce. Changes of hours have been sought in some suburban areas. A new ban area proposed is Hagley Park and environs from 10pm- 7am all week.
Nearly all inner city violence offences had alcohol as a contributor. There are approximately 400 licensed premises within the four avenues of Christchurch. This is exacerbated by the large number of people who come to town already drunk and the way alcohol is sold at some outlets.
Over 1000 people were charged last year with Breach of the Liquor ban, another powerful tool for the police and council to keep the inner city and popular areas safer.
Police and the Christchurch City council are working closely together to make Christchurch the safest city in New Zealand.