Disturbing rise in violent crime

Press, 21 June 1980, Page 2

Disturbing rise in violent crime

PA Wellington Instances of violence crime rose disturbingly over the last year, according to the annual report of the police. The report, prepared by the Commissioner of Police (Mr R. J. Walton), and tabled in Parliament yesterday, reveals that instances of violent offending against the person during 1979 increased by 21.9 per cent over 1978, while the number of offences involving the use of firearms were up by 27.1 per cent. The report says the firearms figure is indicative of the violence which is becoming more prevalent in the community. Wilful damage offences rose 15.7 per cent. The report interprets this as perhaps another form of violence.

The number of robberies was also up by 1.7 per cent. On a brighter note, the report says there has been some decline in unlawful gang activity over recent months.

“Police community relations officers working among gangs, combined with community effort and a postive application of the law, are obviously bearing fruit.” Mr Walton says. The report says the police intend to maintain enforcement of gang control at a hijh level to prevent any deterioration in the situation. A noticeable decline in the availability of heroin in New Zealand had occurred since the death of Christopher Martin Johnstone in Britain and the breaking up of a big international trafficking organisation, according to reports. Before the arrests in Bri-

tain at the end of last year, heroin supplies were reaching “alarming proportions.” However, supplies and arrests had reached an “encouraging low ebb” by the end of 1970 and indications were that this trend would continue into 1980.

Apart from the arrests of what the report terms “key persons,” it says there has also been a shortage of heroin in the source areas of SouthEast Asia.

The report says the positioning of a drug liaison officer in Bangkok since 1978 has proved most effective. Increased police pressure on main suspects and the increased penalties being imposed by courts have further dissuaded heroin traffickers. However, the report notes that cannabis is causing the police "considerable concern.”

During 1979, 5009 persons were charged with drug offences — the highest number recorded. Most of these offenders were charged with cannabis-related offences. Tho report says that cannabis plantations have been found in every province of New Zealand, particularly in the summer months, although the amount of imported cannabis available continues to decline. In total, cannabis offences rose 54 per cent over the 1978-79 year, while non-can-nabis offences were up 25.9 per cent. . The police’s power of search without warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act was exercised on 311 occasions during the last year, with drugs being seized on 240 occasions.

According to the Customs Department’s annual report, also tabled today, X-ray machines in Auckland and Wellington have helped to intercept several narcotics packages. All were small but many of them led to investigations which in turn resulted in further seizings and prosecutions.

X-ray machines have also detected other cases of smuggling, such as valuable pieces of jewellery. A third machine will be installed in Christchurch’s new postal centre.

A total of 304 drug interceptions — at sea, in airports and in the mail — were made during the year, and large-scale joint police and Customs efforts have resulted in severe penalties being imposed.

“While these successes are very pleasing, it is recognised that there is no cause for complacency,” the report says.

The report also says that radical changes in processing arriving overseas passengers at Christchurch Airport had both speeded up clearance and increased the rate of detection of. people trying to import goods illegally. The new procedure will be introduced at Wellington and Auckland airports as well, though the layout of the terminal buildings and differences in.-travel patterns mean that results may be less significant. The report says revenue receipts for the year totalled $1326.9 million, up 20 per cent on the previous year.