Auckland crime rise can't be ignored

The increase in reported crime in Auckland city should be a major concern to the Government, Labour's Police spokesperson Kris Faafoi said today.

"An overall drop in reported crime is to be welcomed but we cannot ignore the fact that our busiest and most populated city has seen an increase in total crime of 5.4 per cent," Kris Faafoi said.

"This continues a trend in Auckland where offending in areas such as car break-ins has been increasing.

"Thefts have continued to rise in the region, this year by over three per cent.

"Drug offences in central Auckland have also risen by nearly 20 per cent and public disorder offences have gone up by 46.3 per cent.

"One has to ask whether central Auckland is a safer place.

"Reduced crime rates in other areas are welcome but the pressure on front line policing continues in the face of budget cuts which are yet to be fully realised on the beat.

"Over 100 back office redundancies which are imminent will see more cops at their computers filing paperwork than being out on patrol. That is the reality of Anne Tolley's Police budget cuts this year.

"I welcome Anne Tolley's goal of wanting to reduce crime by 15 per cent, it just begs the question - why is she building another private prison?"