The Acting District Commander for North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police says while there was an increase in some recorded crime offences during the 2005/2006 fiscal year, the District has achieved a resolution rate of 47.5%, which is an excellent result.
In the 2005/2006 financial year ending 30 June 06, there were a total of 40,061 recorded offences, compared to 37,160 for the previous year. The District solved 47.5% of these crimes.
Inspector Janet Hope says the District is experiencing rapid population growth and the increased demand for police services has impacted on these results. [The District population is estimated at 499, 475.]
'There are a variety of offences that have influenced the outcome of the District's fiscal year statistics and have impacted upon our crime data volumes. They include offences of dishonesty, increased use of methamphetamine and also organised crime activity.'
'Dishonesty, and receiving offences, plus the incidence of methamphetamine use and manufacture, are among the specific areas where reported crime has increased. Dishonesty offending in the District increased by 2828 offences, or 14.1% above that recorded for the same period in the previous year. This is the largest offence category, so any increase here will have a major impact upon the total crime figures recorded. Burglaries and thefts from vehicles are both determined in this class of offences.'
'One in every eight offences reported in the North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police District involves theft from motor vehicles. An increase of 1295 theft offences has been recorded in the past fiscal year, and 70% [910] are directly related to this category.'
"The rising costs of fuel have been linked to thefts of car registration plates, and increasing occurrences of drive off offences from petrol stations in the District are emerging as a significant problem," Inspector Hope said.
'The increased incidence of methamphetamine related offending is an issue common to Police Districts across metropolitan Auckland.'
'In 2005 Police located 25% of the nation's clan labs in the NSWR District. In 2006 seven fewer clan labs have been located, compared for the same period in 2005.'
"Our knowledge of organised crime and the impact that methamphetamine is having on crime, crash and public safety is certainly increasing markedly and further strategies are being developed to neutralize this form of criminal activity," she said.
'There were 28 fatal crashes resulting in 33 deaths in the District in the 2005/2006 financial year. This compares to 30 fatal crashes and 37 deaths for previous year.'
"These 33 deaths are 33 reasons why we need to maintain an even higher visibility of Police on the motorways and highways and rural roads," the Acting District Commander said.
'Staff at the Motorways and Traffic Alcohol Group [TAG] form the hub of combined road policing operations. Across Auckland early morning drink driving operations regularly result in a large number of drunk drivers being stopped prior to entering the vast network of local motorways. Among our experienced staff are recently recruited motorway police personnel from Britain. Their presence is already proving invaluable.'
'The public can make a significant contribution to our crime statistics. They can play their part by securing their personal property, keeping their cars and vehicles locked, while ensuring valuables are neither visible, nor left inside them. Every member of the community has an important role in preventing burglaries and other crime. We encourage the public to contact the Police to advise of any suspicious activity.'
"This District's Management Team is committed to enhancing the professionalism and integrity of all police, and to further increasing the public's trust and confidence in our service delivery," Inspector Hope said.