Crime clearance improves

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 2

Crime clearance improves

By

GLENIS CARROLL

The Christchurch police district cleared 35 per cent of all reported crime during the June quarter.

This placed it fourthlowest in the national rankings, behind Wellington (41.4 per cent), Auckland Central (35.9) and Auckland West (42.8). The national average clearance rate for the quarter was 42.7 per cent. The Christchurch rural district cleared 48.2 per cent of reported crime for the three months ended June 30. There were 9346 reported offences in Christchurch and 2083 offences reported in the rural areas. It is the first time statistics have been available on the 27 police districts, which were formed in April this year. The national figures have been calculated for the year ended June and show that reported crime rose 1.9 per cent. The over-all clearance rate increased to 44.3 per cent from 42.8 per cent for the year ended June, 1987. A total of 439,903 offences were reported in the last 12 months compared with 447,470 for the

same period two years ago. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Malcolm Churches, said it was encouraging news although violent crime had increased 16.9 per cent. There were 26,221 violent offences reported during the year compared with 22,419 in 1987. Twenty-six murders were investigated during the first six months of 1988 — the same number as the equivalent period in 1987. “I am pleased, however, that we have an 80 per cent clearance rate for violent crime,” he said. Sexual offending increased 3.6 per cent from 3174 in 1987 to 3290 and sexual attacks increased 10.5 per cent. Mr Churches said a drop of 1:8 per cent in offences of dishonesty was good news and showed the continuing success of the Neighbourhood Support programme. During the year 276,990 offences of dishonesty were reported compared with 282,182 in the year ended June, 1987.