Latest crime figures show that recorded crime in Southland reduced by 4 percent in 2009 compared with the previous year.
Southland Police are pleased that the 2009 calendar year crime statistics show that 54.3 percent of recorded crime was resolved, up 3.1 percent percentage points on 2008, and well above the national average of 47.8 percent.
Violent offences continued to increase from last year, with 107 more recorded offences in 2009 (1485 violent offences in 2009 compared with 1378 in 2008).
This was driven entirely by an 18 percent increase in recorded family violence, said Southland Area Commander, Inspector Barry Taylor.
"Southland's results are consistent with the national picture, with significant increases in recorded family violence offences since the national roll-out of training to all front-line staff in family violence investigation and risk assessment. Media campaigns over recent years have also encouraged a reduced tolerance of family violence. Many people may now be reporting to Police family violence offences which in the past may not have come to Police attention," said Inspector Taylor.
The number of drugs and anti-social offences reduced from last year, driven mainly by a 9 percent drop in cannabis offences (605 offences in 2008, 549 in 2009).
Disorder and alcohol offences also reduced by 43 and 32 offences respectively (749 disorder offences in 2008 compared with 706 in 2009; 351 alcohol offences in 2008 compared with 319 in 2009).
Inspector Taylor said Southland Police have followed the National Police Alcohol Strategy in using a full range of interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm, ranging from preventative interventions to enforcement action.
"A similar focus has been applied to cannabis offending, where Southland Police have been proactive in executing search warrants and targeting drug dealers."
The number of burglary offences has dropped by 11%, down from 1088 offences in 2008 to 973 in 2009.
"We've given priority through the tasking and co-ordination process to both burglary attendance and offender apprehension. Those burglary offenders on active charges have been actively checked on bail to ensure their bail conditions are being met," said Inspector Taylor.
A reduction in property damage offences was driven mainly by a reduction in wilful damage, which decreased by 158 offences from 2008 (down from 1969 in 2008 to 1811 in 2009).
In Invercargill City, the Police Community Action Group has taken ownership of the issue of wilful damage, joining forces with the Invercargill City Council in combating graffiti.
"Southland rural staff have worked with their communities to reduce the level of wilful damage of letter boxes and road signs, incidents that had become prevalent in more isolated areas," Inspector Taylor said.
ENDS