Crime in Otago Rural Down 4.2%

Total recorded crime in Otago Rural (the local authority areas of Queenstown, Central Otago and Waitaki) decreased by 4.2 % in the year to 31 December 2010.

The total number of recorded offences in 2010 was 5925, down from 6183 in 2009.

Otago Rural Police also solved more crime, with the resolution rate up from 54.5% in 2009 to 57.1% in 2010.

"The figures reflect the consistent efforts of our staff working hard to reduce crime, as well as improved tasking and co-ordination methods. These results mean fewer victims and safer communities," said Inspector Mike Cook, Area Commander for Otago Rural.

The number of assaults (excluding sexual assaults) decreased by 1.5% in 2010 (645 down from 655).

Burglaries and thefts from dwellings decreased by 4.3%, with 18 fewer offences in 2010 compared with the previous year (418 down to 400).

Theft and related offences - including motor vehicle theft - decreased by 7.9% (1670 down to 1538), with motor vehicle thefts only decreasing by 17%.

The number of illicit drug offences decreased overall by 3.9%. However within that category the number of offences relating to the manufacture or cultivation of illicit drugs rose from 38 to 92, a figure that reflects the targeted approach and a number of drug operations that police have run during the year, said Inspector Cook.

Offences related to property damage were down 9.4% (1212 down to 1098).

Public order offences such as disorderly conduct and offensive conduct were steady at 0.8% compared with 2009.

District results
Recorded offences in Southern District (Southland and Otago) dropped by 7.6% in 2010.

Southern District Commander, Superintendent Bob Burns, said the 7.6% drop in Southern is a pleasing result his staff should be proud of.

"Strategies and policies taken at a national, district and area level are continuing to make a positive difference in our communities. Southern District has made significant and ongoing changes which will make our communities even safer," he said.

These changes have included tasking staffing according to short, medium and long-term problems; improving flexible and proactive capability and using better intelligence to direct staff to locations where offences are likely to be committed.

Southern Police are also solving more crime. At a district level the resolution rate rose to 54.6% in 2010, up from 51.9% in 2009.

"This result is particularly pleasing because it shows that not only are we able to reduce crime in our communities, but we are also getting better at identifying those who are doing the offending," Superintendent Burns said.

Superintendent Burns said total recorded crime for Southern, per head of population, is the lowest it has been for 15 years.

At a national level, recorded offences dropped by 5.6% or 25,000 in total. New Zealand's resident population rose by just over 1% during the period, meaning recorded offences per head of population dropped nationally by 6.7%.