Eastern district records 2% fall in crime

Eastern District police recorded a 2 per cent drop in crime for the last calendar year, statistics released today reveal.

There were 25,058 crimes recorded in the district in 2011, compared to 25,566 the year before.  There were decreases in most crime categories last year.  The Eastern district covers Napier, Hastings and Gisborne areas.

One of the biggest drops in crime was recorded for thefts, with 6642 recorded last year compared to 6821 the year before.  Property damage offences also dropped 13.2 per cent from 3549 in 2010 to 3081 last year.

There was also a noticeable drop in fraud offences, with 470 recorded in 2010, compared to 410 last year.  Public order offences dropped from 3080 in 2010 down to 3039 last year.

Burglaries fell slightly from 3922 in 2010, down to 3890 last year.  Robberies dropped from 164 in 2010 down to 142 last year.

Homicide and related offences rose from 5 to 7 and sex offences rose from 187 to 232.  There was an increase in drug offending, with 1379 offences recorded last year, compared to 1159 the year before.  Abduction and harrassment offences increased from 925 in 2010 to 1011 last year.

The number of assaults remained static, with 3431 recorded last year, compared to 3430 the year before.

Acting Eastern District Commander Superintendent Barry Taylor said he was delighted with the overall drop in crime in the district.

"It's always pleasing to see a drop in crime and our district appears to be following a national trend in reduced crime figures.  Our staff  have  worked incredibly hard to achieve these results,"  he said.

It was particularly pleasing to see a drop in the number of robberies, thefts and burglaries.  Crimes against people were always of concern to police, but more importantly to the community.

"The public tell us that they are most worried about being burgled or assaulted and their personal safety is of the highest priority.  We put a lot of effort into making our local communities safer for everyone and these types of reductions are a good sign that our initiatives are working," Mr Taylor said.

Police last year introduced Neighbourhood Policing Teams into the suburbs of Maraenui in Napier and Flaxmere in Hastings.  Plans are currently underway to set up a team in Kaiti in Gisborne.

"These community initiatives have proven their worth and they are making huge inroads into preventing crime and establishing better relationships with the locals who live in these areas.  We now have a strong focus on preventing crime before it happens and we are working a lot closer with our public and other agencies to make that happen."