Total recorded crime across Central District has never been lower

Total recorded crime across the Central District has never been lower, according to official crime statistics released today.

Central District Commander Superintendent Russell Gibson says during the 2011/2012 financial year, there was a total of 28,508 offences recorded, which represents a 5.8 percent percent drop on the previous period.

All six areas across the District have had reductions in recorded crime. Taranaki Rural Area has seen the biggest drop in recorded crime, down by 18.2 percent, followed by Ruapehu Area, which is down by 12.4 percent.

"Categories where recorded crime fell the most include homicide and related offences (-70.6 percent), abduction, harrassment and other related offences against a person (-17.9 percent) fraud, deception and related offences (-16.1 percent) and robbery, extortion and related offences (-10.5 per cent)."
Burglaries across the District are up slightly by 3.3 percent on the previous year.

"A considerable amount of work has been underway by staff across the Central District to prevent and reduce burglaries. We must not forget that behind each of these offences, are victims of crime. We are committed to continuing to reduce the amount of crime, including burglaries, and in turn reducing the number of people becoming victims of crime."

Superintendent Russell Gibson says Police across the Central District are working extremely hard to implement the Prevention First strategy, which aims to prevent crime before it occurs.

"I'm proud of the efforts of all staff across the District, which is reflected in these latest official statistics, the lowest since they began being officially recorded in 1995/1996. You only need to look at the graph on page 12 of our official crime statistics document to see just how much crime has dropped over the last 17 years."

Russell Gibson says, "Illicit drug offences in Palmerston North Area are up by 27.6 per cent. This is actually a heartening statistic and reflects the targeted approach to stamping out organised crime and drugs in this Area over the past financial year."

The latest Citizens' Satisfaction Survey shows 82 percent of those surveyed in Central District have full/quite a lot of trust and confidence in Police, compared to the national average of 77 percent.

"The crime statistics, coupled with these latest trust and confidence levels, reflect the fact that staff across the Central District are doing a good job at ensuring that all residents can be safe and feel safe.”