Crime statistics released today show the Eastern Police District solved more crime in 2009 than during the previous year.
Police in the District (covering Hawke's Bay and Gisborne) increased their crime resolution rate to 52.5 percent last year, up from 48.9 percent in 2008. The statistics are based on the calendar year ending December 31.
The figures come on the back of a 5.9 percent increase in recorded crime for the year. Recorded offences rose from 24,007 in 2008 to 25,429 last year.
Some types of offences have increased in numbers, while others have decreased.
Drug and Anti-Social offences rose by 27 percent, and Violence offences rose 19 percent.
The increase in the total number of recorded Violence offences has been driven almost entirely by an increase in recorded Family Violence, which increased 34 percent. The results are consistent with national figures, which show significant increases in recorded family violence offences since the roll-out of mandatory training to all front-line staff in 2007 and publicity campaigns about family violence.
Following decreases in the 2008 calendar year, Eastern District recorded further reductions in Property Damage and Dishonesty offences in 2009, down 5 percent and 2 percent respectively. Sexual offences dropped 18 percent from 198 offences in 2008 to 162 offences in 2009.
Cannabis offences were up 35 percent, Disorder offences rose 29 percent and Breach of Liquor Ban offences were up 23.5 percent.
Eastern District Commander Superintendent Sam Hoyle said the increases were due in part to an increased focus on pro-active work in areas relating to drugs and alcohol.
"We have made a concentrated effort to make a dent in cannabis crime across the district, especially during our annual cannabis recovery operation. We have also focused heavily on dealers and growers and our persistence is paying off," Superintendent Hoyle said.
Police on the street at night had also been enforcing liquor bans in the three main cities of Napier, Hastings and Gisborne and were paying more attention to street disorder.
"Alcohol continues to consume a huge amount of police time and resources and we have to take every opportunity we can to reduce alcohol-related offending. It starts with breaches of the liquor ban, but escalates to street fighting, disorder and serious assaults. The increase in this type of offending reflects our more concentrated efforts in these areas," he said.
For the fourth consecutive year, Eastern District has seen a reduction in Dishonesty offences, with 11,204 offences recorded in 2009 compared with 11,449 in 2008. There were reductions in almost all classes of Dishonesty offences last year, notably Car Theft (down 8 percent) and Burglary (down 3 percent).
Superintendent Hoyle said several projects and operations throughout the district last year had successfully targetted known car thieves and burglars, and it was particularly pleasing to see a reduction in house burglaries.
-ENDS-
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kris McGehan on 06 831 0786 or 027 222 3638.
Full details of the 2009 crime statistics are available at www.stats.govt.nz