Labour wants more police

Press, 28 February 1981, Page 6

Labour wants more police

Big increases in New Zealand’s “front line” and community police forces should be immediately approved by the Government, said the Opposition spokesman on police (Mr M. A. Connelly) last evening. Crime figures just released showed that 1979 was the most violent year in New Zealand’s crime history. That the 1980 crime rate was a record, and that the police “clearance” rate of crimes was down, Mr Connelly said. Although accumulated police leave and time off owed now totalled 120 manyears, the Government had not approved any increase in police numbers during the 1980-81 financial year, he said. The figures showed tha!

offences in the Christchurch district had risen 17 per cent to 43,446 last year, a rise that was'well above the national average of 11 per cent, Mr Connelly said. It had been reported that police from Christchurch would follow the Springbok tour throughout New Zealand, he said. “That means that police effectiveness in the Christchurch district will be reduced.” The police were already under pressure, and the tour would accentuate this, Mr Connelly said. “This is an indictment of the Government, which is clearly not facing up to its law and order responsibilities.” (Crime report, Page 7)