West Auckland police say the region has recorded a modest increase of less than 5% total crime in the calendar year 2006.
Waitakere Police Commander, Inspector Mark O'Connor, says the 49% resolution of these crimes demonstrates the police commitment to confront and change behaviour, as well as providing victims with some closure.
"High resolutions of serious violence, sexual attacks, and drugs are important Police initiatives to actively deal with problem issues and provide a level of protection for potential victims," he said.
"Grievous/Serious Assaults along with Kidnapping and Abduction were solved at levels of 87 and 90% and is of note to Waitakere Police. Drugs have similar levels of resolution at 87%."
"There is also an effect from large increases in breach of bail charges over the year which show Police are working with Courts and Probation to reduce re-offending by people while they are going through the Court," Inspector O'Connor said.
"Waitakere City can also expect longer term improvements in these recorded crime levels through initiatives, such as Operation Respect."
Commander O'Connor says Police, Maori Wardens, Waitakere City Council and Pacific Wardens are working closely together to reduce violence in the town centres in Waitakere. This project is funded by Ministry of Justice and Waitakere City Council, with the objectives of:-
o Working with mainly young people in the town centres who are more at risk of violence as victims or perpetrators.
o Uniform presence in the town centres to increase safety and public confidence.
"Although sexual attacks have increased by 45%, there is an important response and effect from a newly formed Adult Sexual Abuse Team made up of specially trained and experienced Detectives for these particular crimes. They work closely with the Child Sexual Abuse Team which has been operating for sometime in Waitakere."
"Despite the challenges and the protracted nature of these cases, the 76% resolution rate represents the success of the hard working Detectives and specialists working in this difficult area of Policing."
"Like Family Violence, sexual offending does have a significant hidden rate that Police and other agencies are seeking to uncover in order to reduce the victims and the risk of future criminality of young people exposed to these crimes. Victims are showing more confidence in Police and the support services demonstrated by their reporting these types of cases."
"Although Burglary increased by 13%, recorded receiving also increased by 31% and demonstrates the work of Police investigating burglary and recovering property stolen during these crimes. Receiving has a 97% resolution rate and is an important measure of Police efforts in this area."
"Fraud has also increased by 30%, but with a 46% resolution rate, which again shows Police effort in dealing with fraud cases as well as the other demands on investigators time," Inspector O'CONNOR said.