Offending has decreased 13.6% in the Wellington District according to the latest crime statistics released today by Statistics New Zealand.
This result is almost double the reduction in the national crime rate of 7.4% and builds on a 6.5% drop from the previous year.
In the Wellington District there were 35,757 recorded offences in the 2012/13 financial year compared to 41,366 in the previous financial year.
All four areas in the District saw reductions with Wellington City seeing the biggest drop of 3,121 offences followed by the Hutt Valley (1,257), Kapiti-Mana (1,063) and the Wairarapa (168).
Wellington District Commander, Superintendent Sue Schwalger, said the results are a testament to the hard work and crime prevention focus from staff across the District.
"It is great to see crime falling throughout the region as we continue to work hard to make homes and communities safe".
"While we are always ready to respond when needed, we know that by targeting our efforts and working with the community we can continue to bring down crime” said Superintendent Sue Schwalger.
Theft and related offences dropped by 14.9% and burglary and break and enter offences have also dropped by 10.8%. Serious assaults resulting in injury dropped by 11.9%.
Superintendent Schwalger said that while community policing has always been at the heart of what we do, introducing mobile devices to officers and reducing paper work is freeing up officers time so they can focus on crime prevention.
“We are receiving positive feedback from staff about the effectiveness of our mobility programme and we know it is making Police more visible,” Superintendent Schwalger said.
“We remain committed to working together with our communities, key stakeholders and strategic partners to ensure our communities are safe places to live, work and visit.”
ENDS
For media queries please contact Nick Bohm, Wellington District Communications Manager, on 027 559 2235.
The statistics reports are available from the Police website: https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publication/crime-statistics-fiscal-...