Northland Police District's total recorded crime in the 12 months ending 30 June 2009 has increased compared to the previous year.
The crime statistics released today show a 7% increase in recorded crime for the year ending 30 June 2009 compared to the previous year. This equates to a similar increase in offences per head of population, as Northland's population has remained stable over the same period.
Northland Police resolved 57% of recorded offences in the year ended 30 June 2009, up from 56% the previous year, and well above the national average of 48%.
Within the total volume of recorded crime, some types of offences have increased, whilst others have decreased. Increases included Drugs and Antisocial offences, which rose 11%, and Administrative offences, which rose by 16%.
Violence
The total number of recorded Violence offences in Northland has increased by 2.8%. The largest increases in Violence offences in Northland have been Minor Assaults (up 11.5%) and Intimidation and Threats (up 9%).
Northland's increase in Violence offences has been driven almost entirely by an 8% increase in recorded family violence. Northland's results are consistent with the national picture, where we have seen significant increases in recorded family violence offences following the national roll-out of training to all front-line staff in family violence investigation and risk assessment. Also, media campaigns over recent years have encouraged reduced tolerance of family violence. Many people may now be reporting to Police family violence offences which in the past may not have come to Police attention.
Improved reporting enables the Police, along with its key partners, to direct its resources into reducing crime.
Drugs and Antisocial
The increase in Drugs and Antisocial offences in 2008/09 can be largely attributed to an increase in Cannabis offences, but the other classes of Drugs offences have also increased. The increases in Drugs offences have been offset by reductions in Breaches of liquor bans imposed by local authorities (down 18%), and Disorder offences (down 14%).
Northland District Commander Superintendent Mike Rusbatch says targeting organised crime and drugs is a priority for Northland Police and they will continue to target those who grow, manufacture and deal in illicit drugs. "Eighty six percent of cannabis and 96 percent of other drug (methamphetamine) offences were resolved, with Operation Kristy alone resulting in 245 arrests. During the annual crime and cannabis operation Northland Police destroyed 67,508 cannabis plants and seized 54 grams of methamphetamine."
Dishonesty
Dishonesty offences increased over the same period for the first time in three years, up 7%. These offences include Burglary, which increased by 8%, Car Conversion, up by 8% and Theft, up by 3%. The largest percentage increase for Dishonesty offences was in Fraud Offences (up 34%).
Mr Rusbatch says Northland Police are also making dishonesty offences, such as burglary, a priority. Although the offences have increased, the resolution rate for these offences has also gone up. Seventy nine percent of the fraud offences were resolved this year compared to 60 percent last year.