N.Z.’s crime rise ‘not surprising'

Press, 28 February 1981, Page 7

N.Z.’s crime rise ‘not surprising'

Wellington reporter Crime in Christchurch increased last year at a rate greater than in any other of the four main centres .and also had a clearance rate below the national average. During 1980 offences reported throughout New Zealand rose by 11.17 per cent to 349,193, a figure the Minister of Police (Mr Couch) said was “disappointing, although not surprising.” “New Zealand, like most Western countries, is experiencing moral and social problems which are being reflected in fewer people being deterred by the prospect of being caught and prosecuted,” he said. Crimes involving dishonesty increased from 191,407 in 1979 to 215,582, or by 12.6 per cent, but crimes under the general category of violence increased by only 2.4 per cent from 15,253 in 1979 to 15,612 last year. Offences related to cannabis increased by 24.8 per cent, to 8749, but offences involving hard drugs dropped by 17.4 per cent from 1121 in 1979 to 925 last year. Reported crimes in Christchurch rose by 17 per cent to 43,446, while Wellington’s increased 5.5 per cent to 45.616. Crime in Auckland increased 10.4 per cent to

105,007 and Dunedin’s rose 15.8 per cent to 17,293. Crime clearance rates in the four main centres were 44.3, 49.8, 43.3, and 51.2 per cent respectively. Mr Couch said that the police clearance rates had been roughly the same as in past years in spite of static resources, which reflected a great deal of credit on the police. The clearance rate nationally averaged 47.6 per (cent and 81.7 per cent of i violent offenders were arrested. An important development in crime prevention had been the Neighbourhood Watch campaign and the good response it had had from the public, Mr Couch said. During December burglaries and thefts from private somes fell by 15.7 per cent compared with December, 1979. Last month there was an 18.2 per cent drop in the same class of offence, and the unlawful taking of motor vehicles fell by 9.3 per cent. “This is indeed pleasing and reflects a degree of awareness and intolerance of crime Which we have not seen within the community for some time,” Mr Couch said.