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Northland's recorded crime lowest in five years

Monday 1 October 2012, 3:49PM

By New Zealand Police

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NORTHLAND

Northland's recorded crime for the fiscal year is the lowest it has been in five years.

Crime statistics released today show that recorded crime for the district was down 6.9 percent from last year. A total of 15146 offences were recorded for the 2011/2012 fiscal year, compared to 16275 offences last fiscal year.

Recorded offences per 10,000 people have also dropped by 7.1 percent.
At 969 recorded offences per 10,000 head of population, this is the lowest figure since the 1995/1996 fiscal year.

Figures for the year showed that:

  • Burglaries dropped by  9.4 percent
  • Theft and related offences dropped by 11.0percent
  • Fraud, deception and related offences dropped by 6.2 percent
  • Illicit drug offences dropped by 6.5 percent, including a large drop in manufacturing or cultivating illicit drugs (37.0percent). However there      was a  198.3 percent increase in dealing or trafficking.
  • Property damage dropped by 15.5 percent

 

Offences to show increases were:

  • Sexual assault offences increased by  22.7 percent
  • Dangerous or negligent acts endangering persons increased by 4.9 percent.
  • Abduction, harassment and other related offences increased by 7.0 percent.
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences increased by 46.6 percent
  • Public order offences increased by 2.4 percent.

 

 

Northland District Commander Superintendent Russell Le Prou says the continued drop in recorded crime is very pleasing and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all Northland Police staff.

"Police is now operating from a Prevention First strategy and our work in preventing crime should make a further dent in these crime figures."

Mr Le Prou says through this strategy Police will be focusing on its response to crime to ensure that victims are better supported, so they do not become victims again and that offenders are held to account.

He says one of the key factors in the success of Prevention First will be working with community partners to make Northland safer.

"If these figures are anything to go by, we are on the right track."