Total crime in the Waitemata Police District continues to come down and with the resolution of total crime going up it has been an exceptional year for the community and staff according to the District Police Commander.
Superintendent Viv Rickard says the District has continued to perform well in terms of theft motor vehicles and vehicle crime and we have continued to impact on burglary offences in most areas.
Superintendent Rickard says 38,784 offences were recorded by Police in the District in the past year under the 40,206 in the previous year which signifies a 3.5% drop in total recorded crime.
"There are still areas of improvement for us and concern for me. One area is the rise in violence which has been steadily increasing over the past three years. Violence increased by 5.6% in 2006 to 12.5% in 2007 and represented almost 700 additional recorded offences."
"We know a lot of our violence is driven by alcohol and to a certain extent drugs and a significant amount of violence continues to be unreported."
"Alcohol also contributes to approximately one quarter of Family violence offences within this District".
"The Government has signalled that Family violence is not acceptable within the community and so in relation to alcohol and violence this District has been fortunate to obtain a large proportion of the Government's New Initiative staffing allocation. I have placed 13 of the 18 allocated Community Staff to Problem Solving Teams."
"Together with the implementation of liquor bans, closer interagency cooperation in relation to Family Violence and the community focused problem solving approach we will be in a much better position to focus on violence.
"One area that continues to be an issue in this District is the attitude towards drinking and driving," he said.
"The level of fatalities in this District is the lowest since 1980 this is due in part to the excellent work of my Road Policing Staff, with high visibility, focus and continued vigilance".
"Our job is about people. It is about ensuring we have the capability, competency and focus on our goals," Superintendent Rickard said.
The Waitakere Police Commander Inspector Mark O'Connor says that total crime rates for his Area are being moderated by high resolving of those cases by Waitakere Police".
"54% of cases were resolved through work that includes arrest, prosecution, and youth aid follow-up. Such a high resolution rate is remarkable in a large urban environment and the envy of many overseas Police services," he said.
"Total crime increased by 3% for the year and is lower than the 5% increase last year. When taken in the context of the population increases for each year these results are great for our Community", he said.
Inspector O'Connor said, "The 27% increase in violence is a formidable challenge for Waitakere Police, Judges, Courts, Probation, Mental Health, Child Youth and Family, Work and Income, our Community Leaders and agencies working with us."
"Complacency is our enemy as we look to turn back these figures. Police will radically restructure the way we deliver policing services in our communities; so our Police are more neighbourhood based and actively working with young people who are at risk of being victims of violence as well as offenders so we reduce this violence in our town centres," Inspector O'Connor said.
"Family Violence is part of this violence. A new Family Violence Investigation Team led by a Sergeant with four Investigators will confront and change behaviour as well as provide greater follow up with victims, children, and offenders to reduce the detrimental effects of violence in families," said Inspector O'Connor," Inspector O'Connor said.
North Shore Police Commander Inspector Les Paterson says that 2007 was the best year on record for crime on the North Shore. At 569 crimes per 10,000 people North Shore City remains the area where you have the lowest probability of becoming a victim. It is the first time that figure has been below 600.
Crime dropped by 10% and we are confident we can sustain this with the continued support of the Council, community and all the other agencies who have worked to help us.
2008 will be a year where we focus on "visible" policing, our community team is now up to 19 staff and you will see plenty of them around the malls and trouble spots.
Rodney Police Area Commander, Inspector Janet Hope is pleased with the results achieved by her staff during the past year.
In the 2007 calendar year there were a total of 6,522 recorded offences, compared to 7155 the previous year. The area resolved 51.7% of the crimes.
Reductions in recorded offending were achieved for grievous and serious assaults, burglary, unlawful taking of and theft from motor vehicles while increases in recorded crime relate to sexual assaults, disorder, Sale of Liquor Act and firearms offending.
Alcohol is a common factor with disorder and violence offending and the increases reported crime reflects a proactive approach by Police in response to clear messages from the community. New Liquor bans have been put in place at Snells Beach, Algies Bay and Martins Bay which have been well received by local residents. Increased reporting of anti social offences reflects the mood of the community that this behaviour is not acceptable and remains a strong focus for Police.
Achieving the lowest road toll in 12 years - 12 crashes resulting in 14 deaths as compared to 10 years ago where 24 crashes were recorded resulting in 27 deaths is an excellent result. Rodney Police acknowledge the continued support of Rodney District Council and ACC in implementing road safety initiatives. One road death is one too many and road safety will remain a priority for Police. The driving public can expect to see a high police presence and they can expect to be stopped when driving on Rodney's highways and rural roads.
Rodney continues to grow rapidly yet remains one of the safest communities in the country to live. Rodney Police is committed to working with the community and key stakeholders to address issues and provide a world class Policing service.
Superintendent Rickard says, "I acknowledge and congratulate my staff in the supreme effort in achieving the results in crime and crash reduction during the 2007 year".
"I have been and will continue to invest heavily in our staff ensuring that they are visible, are well informed of their duties, engaged with our partners and they are placed in positions serve our community effectively. I am proud of their achievements last year," he said.
Superintendent Viv Rickard
District Commander
Waitemata Police
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