Crime stats: Assaults rise in Hastings, fall in Napier

A grey Suzuki Swift allegedly involved in a Hastings stabbing on December 6 last year. Photo / NZ Police

Assaults have spiked in the Hastings District in the past year, but police say random attacks remain rare.

Police say the ongoing upward trend of family violence is likely the cause of the rise.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says the figures are a concern, but more than 200 CCTV cameras had now been installed in the district, which she hoped would make a difference.

There were 1214 assaults reported to police across the Hastings District during the 12 month period between July 2020 and June 2021.

It was a jump of over 10 per cent from the 12 months prior - which saw 1095 cases reported to police across the district.

And a refuge helping women flee domestic violence has reported a big jump in calls for support in the Hawke's Bay since early last year.

Assaults are on the rise in Hastings.

The assault cases include domestic violence incidents and data shows the figures have been steadily climbing for at least the past three years.

Meanwhile, Napier saw a reversal of that trend with a drop in assaults, with 919 reported assaults between July 2020 and June 2021 compared to 997 assaults in the 12 months prior.

Wairoa recorded an increase, while Central Hawke's Bay recorded a decrease.

Hawke's Bay Police Inspector Martin James said reports of family harm had increased.

"Over the period of three years we have seen an increase in family harm reporting which may include everything from 'my son and daughter fighting over the remote' to serious family harm incidents."

He said while there had been an increase in reports of assault to police in the wider Hastings District, the degree of violence involved in each report could differ widely from low end through to serious violence.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.

He said assaults on random people remained very rare in the area.

James said better channels for people communicating may have also played a part in the increase in assaults, reported to police, such as friends or family contacting police after a victim messaged them on social media.

He explained an assault by definition included anything from a threat of harm right through to a serious act of violence, such as grievous bodily harm.

He encouraged anyone who felt unsafe to contact police including during lockdown.

"If you feel scared, threatened or unsafe please call us on 111. You can leave your bubble if you are worried about your safety."

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the assault figures were a concern.

She said one of the steps which had been taken in the Hastings District area to help fight crime included the installation and monitoring of 240 CCTV cameras.

"The safety and wellbeing of our people is extremely important to our council and our community. Any rise in crime statistics is concerning," she said.

She reminded residents to report any crimes they witnessed to police so they could best do their job.

Hazlehurst also reminded anyone suffering abuse to seek help.

"If you are concerned that you may be in danger in your home, either phone for help or leave.

"Government has been quite clear about this; if your safety is at risk in the first instance call 111. There are many people in our community to support you."

A women's refuge organisation in Napier and Hastings echoed that point.

Family VIP Services, which helps women in crisis in Napier and Hastings, business manager Julie Hart said they had experienced higher demand for help since April last year.

She said their crisis housing had been near capacity since then and they had been "absolutely inundated" with calls for support.

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ATTACKERS STILL ON THE RUN

Police are still on the hunt for those behind a shocking stabbing attack in Hastings in December.

A man was allegedly stabbed while sitting in his car on Warren St during the night of December 6, 2020.

Police allege the driver overtook a grey Suzuki Swift (pictured) which then began to follow him.

Three people allegedly got out of the Swift about 9pm and began assaulting the victim through his car window, before one man stabbed him with a knife.

The victim fled from the scene on foot with a punctured lung.

Anyone who has information about the incident is urged to contact police.