Improved recording of crime and more pro-active policing are among the reasons why a senior police manager is not at all fazed that reported crime in his Waitemata District has increased in the year 2006.
District Commander Superintendent Viv RICKARD says 40,206 offences were reported to Police last year. The District recorded 37,996 offences in 2005.
"The increase of 5.82% is not surprising. It's expected," said Mr RICKARD.
"My District includes North Shore, Rodney, Waitakere, and Motorways. We resolved 47.70% of crimes. It's a very creditable outcome," he said.
"However, it is not enough to simply reduce crime if people do not visibly see or perceive a reduction is taking place."
"Proactive policing is a key component in reducing crime. The District's approach is very simple. Our first priority is to stop crime occurring and our second is to quickly locate those responsible for crime."
"The level of proactive policing in this District is resulting in more crime being detected. Disorderly behaviour offence arrests have increased. These results can't be achieved unless officers attend at such incidents."
"Our front line staff are pro-active in many other crime categories too. Breach of Court Orders is one area where staff will endeavour to ensure offenders appear before the Courts much earlier."
"Any increase in crime in this District is noted. These annual figures are no exception. Drugs and antisocial behaviours, burglaries and dishonesty offences were expected to record increases and they did."
"Violent crime in the past year has increased by 5.58%. This is almost solely attributable to the 16% increase in recorded family violence offences. There were 5,279 violent offences reported. Of these 2058 can be directly linked or associated to family violence. Police are encouraging immediate reporting of such offences, and its happening."
"It doesn't come as any surprise either that a lot of our violence is driven by alcohol and to a certain extent drugs. We know there's a large amount of violence that's going unreported."
"Police in Waitakere, Rodney and North Shore are fully engaged in initiatives that reflect the emphasis on family violence in this District. Police are working closely with selected community groups, local bodies, plus many central government and non government agencies."
"Often Police are the agency of last resort. Ownership of family violence has to be accepted by all sectors of the community. That time is now," said Mr RICKARD.
"Our road fatality rate is constant. Zero tolerance is essential particularly where speed and alcohol are involved. The two are a dangerous mix. Changing driver behaviour is about stopping vehicles. Zero tolerance to drink driving, and zero warnings for speed and restraints. Weekly there are large numbers of drink drivers from this District getting caught. There's a "rural drink-drive attitude" existing right across Metro Auckland."
"Another immediate priority is to make police better connected to the community. Staff are having success in solving crime but an element of public fear means police need to be more visible and they're certainly being seen in Waitemata Police District."
"The public can make a significant contribution to community safety. 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."
"The Waitemata District's Senior Leadership Group 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," Mr RICKARD said.