In 2004 recorded crime dropped by 8.2 percent. Nationally all crime offence categories which include violence, sexual, drugs and anti-social, dishonesty, property damage and abuse and administrative, recorded reductions. The resolution rate recorded a favourable increase from 43.5 percent to 44.6 percent.
The total number of offences recorded by Police for the 2004 calendar year was 406,363 compared to 442,489 in the 2003 calendar year. This equates to 9.3% reduction per 10,000 population for the 2004 calendar year said Commissioner Rob Robinson.
"We are very pleased with this result. We believe the result can be attributed to successful detection of crime, increasing use of intelligence for proactive police work and effective partnerships with the wider community," said Mr Robinson.
Districts
All of the twelve Police districts recorded decreases in total recorded crime. Central recorded the biggest reduction with 12.6 percent fewer recorded offences than the previous 12 month period, followed by Auckland City, (-11.9 percent) and Counties Manukau (-11.3 percent).
All three of these Districts attribute their reductions to a broad combination of factors, both internal and external. Central District notes that reductions have come on top of sustained crime reduction for nearly a decade. Counties Manukau and Auckland City Districts attribute much of the reductions to proactive policing.
Most districts experienced little difference in overall recorded violence. Auckland City District recorded violence reduced 12.2% reversing the previous year’s 10.2% increase.
The short term volatility of changes underscores the desirability of focussing on long term trends which over many years have been downwards for overall recorded crime and crime rates per 10,000 population.
Auckland City District cited implementation of the local authority community safety strategy and extension of liquor bans, with associated improved compliance with the law. They noted the disorder offences reduced by over 1,000 for the same reasons.
Resolution rates were up in nine of the twelve Districts with Bay of Plenty improving 4.8% to 51.2%, enabling it to join Southern, North Shore Waitakere and Tasman Districts as having resolution rates over the 50% mark.
Wellington District has reversed the rate of recorded crime from an increase of 6.3% in 2003 to a decrease of 7.7% in 2004. The District attributes its positive change to a concentrated effort on dwelling burglaries and theft from cars offences, said Mr Robinson.
Dishonesty offences (9.7% reduction)
Dishonesty offences have reduced by 9.7%, including dwelling Burglary offences reducing by 6.4%. Theft ex-car reduced 12.3% and car theft and unlawful taking / conversion of motor vehicles reduced 11.6%.
These results are continuing the downward trend in dishonesty crime rate which has fallen by 32% since 1996. Within this offence category, burglary has fallen 35% and dwelling burglaries by 31% since 1996.
Drugs and anti-social (reduction of 7.4%)
Recorded drug and anti-social offences reduced by 7.4% in 2004. Cannabis offences dropped 17.5% from 19,897 to 16,409 and other drug offences reduced 1.2% from 3,545 to 3,501.
The drugs and anti-social crime rate has remained constant over time. Within this, the recorded drug offence rate has reduced by 36% since its peak in 1998. There were just under 3% more disorder offences per 10,000 population in 2004 compared with 1996, including a drop of 12% in 2004.
A reduction in the number of cannabis offences recorded can be partly ascribed to a switch in the market to methamphetamine and other drugs.
This is supported by the fact that there have been very large increases in the quantities of methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs seized by Police and Customs in the last year.
"The rise in use of so-called 'legal high' drugs has been commented on recently. Police do not believe these products stop people from abusing methamphetamine. It is more likely that both substances are being used interchangeably, according to availability. The rise in 'legal high' drug use parallels the rise in synthetic drug use generally.
"Police continue to work with health authorities and other agencies in advising on the need for classification of new synthetic drugs.
"No comfort is taken from the slowing of growth in methamphetamine offences. It remains a scourge on society and we continue to treat it and other organised crime activities with the seriousness they deserve.
"In conjunction with other partner agencies such as Customs, more product is being intercepted at the border and internally pharmacists are working closely with police over limiting the flow of pre-cursor material. Police are also looking forward to the introduction of a more pervasive asset forfeiture regime, as announced by the Minister of Justice.
Violence (reduction of 0.8%)
Recorded violence reduced by 0.8%, compared to a rise of 1.5% for the last calendar year period. The resolution rate for violent offences also improved by 0.7% over the last year.
The violent crime rate has increased by just under 4% since 1996. This equates to a rise of just under 0.5% per year.
Minor violence crime rate has increased 5% since 1996, driven by increases in intimidation and threats; although these reduced 5% in 2004.
"We remain concerned with the continuing increase in serious assaults.
"It is of little comfort to point out that the increase is completely attributable to family violence i.e. in places away from the gaze of police. I can but remind the community again, that family violence in all its forms and severity will only trend down if each adult member of society does his or her part to deal with it."
Sexual offences (reduction of 5.4%)
Recorded sexual offences reduced for the second year in a row. However, this category is known to be under-reported to Police and it is likely that these reductions are due to a variety of factors rather than any single issue.
Homicides (reduction of 17.3%)
There were 47 recorded Murders in 2004 and 46 in 2003. Both 2003 and 2004 years recorded fewer murders than any year since 1995.
Homicide statistics include Murder, Attempted Murder, Manslaughter, Infanticide, Abortion and Aiding Suicide. In many countries the homicide offence classification does not include types of offences such as attempted murder, aiding suicide and illegal abortions that are included in New Zealand statistics.
Homicide offences dropped by 17.3% from 104 in 2003 to 86 in 2004.
Road Policing
Road Policing has come under close scrutiny over the last year and the way the service is delivered subject to much public debate. However, Road Policing represents 23 percent of the services provided by NZ Police and the effect on the crime statistics is significant.
"Road Policing officers are often the eyes and ears of Police and provide valuable intelligence on other crime. The apprehension of wanted criminals, the detection of the proceeds of burglaries and the deterrent effect of the highly visible Highway Patrol cars provides a valuable back up for other crime teams" said Mr Robinson
"The road toll for 2004 was a total of 435 deaths, compared to 461 in 2003. This decrease reflects the calmer situation on the roads over the last year.
"The evidence is that speeds are reducing and the mean speed on state highways has now reduced to 98kmh. This calming of all traffic has had the flow on effect of fewer deaths and injuries," said Mr Robinson.
Speed camera hours increased by 7.5% (76,129 in 2004 and 70,813 in 2003) compared with the previous year but speed camera tickets dropped by 6.15% (from 494,608 infringements in 2003 to 464,167 in 2004). Officer infringements issued increased by only 1.4% from 390,195 in 2003 to 395,576 in 2004, indicating a likely flattening off in officer issued infringement growth.
Summary
On a population adjusted basis the reduction in recorded crime for the last calendar year is close to double figures at 9.3%, while resolution rates continue to climb albeit modestly over the previous year.
This continues a long term downwards trend. In looking back as far as 1996 (which is the earliest year for which we have population estimates calculated on growth) there has been a 22% drop in recorded crime rate, against a 9% increase in population.
"In the lead up to the release of today's statistics there has been public commentary which has sought to erode the value of these results by suggesting inconsistencies in recording practices within districts.
"As Commissioner of Police I wish to reassure the public of the overall integrity of these statistics. While no system is totally fool proof there are sufficient checks and balances in place to assure me that this year’s set of statistics can be reliably compared with results over the last 30 years.
"I know how hard staff and partner agencies have worked to bring about the excellent calendar year results. It is highly disappointing to see a very few commentators seeking to undermine the value of that effort," said Mr Robinson.
Statistics New Zealand, the State Services Commission and Treasury, recently completed a review of New Zealand’s official statistics system. As a result of this review Statistics New Zealand has proposed that Police recorded crime statistics be classified as ‘Tier 1’ official statistics. Tier 1 is the most important class of statistics with defined process and quality standards.
Last month Statistics New Zealand began publishing Police official recorded crime statistics on their Internet site in such a way as to be available for interrogation and analysis by researchers with a detailed interest in the subject.
It is intended that the 2004 calendar year statistics will be added to this resource, available on www.statistics.govt.nz before the end of March.
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