Crime down and resolution rate up in Counties Manukau Police District

Counties Manukau Police are heralding a continued drop in recorded crime.

Figures show that 51,317 offences were recorded in the 12 months 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 – down 4.4 percent or 2343 offences on the previous fiscal year. Just over half – 52.4 percent of recorded crime was solved, up from the 48.1 percent in the 2009/10 year.

Counties Manukau’s resident population rose 3.8 percent in the reporting period and when this is taken into account, total crime per head of population dropped 6.1 percent.

Acting District Commander Inspector Bruce Bird said that the results were gratifying and reflected new policing initiatives, implementing Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the energy from staff in tackling key crime issues.

“Total crime continues to track down, including serious assaults resulting in injury, public place assaults, robbery, burglary, and car crime,” he said.

Highlights were:
• Fraud, deception and related offences – down 27.7 percent or 317 offences to 829. The resolution rate rose from 40.3 percent to 49.1 percent.
• Abduction, harassment and other related offences – down 16.6 or 433 offences to 2178. The resolution rate rose from 73.6 percent to 77.7 percent.
• Property damage and environmental pollution – down 12.7 percent or 837 offences to 5728. The resolution rate rose from 30.6 percent to 37 percent.
• Unlawful entry with intent/burglary/break and enter – down 11.3 percent or 879 offences to 6895. The resolution rate rose from 11.7 percent to 15 percent.
• Robbery, extortion and related offences dropped 9.7 percent or 61 offences to 569.
• Sexual assaults dropped 7.7 percent or 38 offences to 458.
• Acts intended to cause injury dropped 2.6 percent or 176 offences
• Theft and related offences dropped 2.8 percent or 441 offences to 15,293. The resolution rate rose from 18.8 percent to 22.1 percent. However, within the category, minor thefts, receiving and illegal use of property all went up slightly.
• There was a marginal 0.7 decrease in illicit drug offences – down 15 offences to 2288. Most of this was in the dealing, trafficking, importing or exporting of drugs. The manufacturing or cultivating of drugs increased from 170 to 195 offences.
• Family violence related offences dropped by 845 from 9497 to 8652.
Crime groups to increase included homicide and related offences – up from 8 to 13 offences. There were 8 murders recorded, three more than last year.

Dangerous or negligent acts endangering persons rose 15.2 percent, from 151 to 174 offences. There was also a 16.4 percent rise in Public Order offences – up 918 offences from 5614 to 6532 offences.

Inspector Bird said there have been significant and innovative changes to the way in which Counties Manukau operates. The district piloted prevention tactics such as the Neighbourhood Policing Teams which are now being adopted elsewhere.

“We’ve 12 teams currently working in our district and these along with our Public Safety Teams; our focus on Intelligence led policing and the work of our major crime squads are making a tangible difference.”