Labour tackles MP on crime figures

Anna Lorck. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Tukituki Labour candidate Anna Lorck is crying foul over her political opponent Craig Foss' claim that "crime is low" in Hawke's Bay.

"Just a week ago, Craig stood in Parliament and told the country that crime is low in our region. I am asking him to please explain how he came to this conclusion," Ms Lorck said.

According to the New Zealand Police website, crime has increased for the Eastern District, which the region is part of, resolution rates are down and there are more victims.

"In April, Hawke's Bay Today reported that reported crime in Hawke's Bay rose 2.7 per cent last year, compared to the national trend, which had dropped by 4.1 per cent, and against the trends of two-thirds of the country's police districts.

"There were 15,487 crimes recorded in Hawke's Bay during the 2013 calendar year, up from 15,081 offences reported in 2012. In Hawke's Bay, most of the rise in reported crime was in the areas of violence, burglary and sex offences."

Across the Police Eastern District there were 1166.7 offences per 10,000 people, more than 16 per cent more prolific than some other areas. Sexual offences, whether historic or modern, had been reported at a rate of 12.2 per 10,000 people, close to 50 per cent up on the national average. "These are the facts so why is Craig Foss telling us the exact opposite?

"Hawke's Bay and the people living in our communities deserve a straight answer on such a serious issue and I'm calling on Craig to provide one." Ms Lorck said.

Mr Foss said his opponent was cherry picking her statistics.

He said he made the crime-is-low comment during a speech for departing Napier MP Chris Tremain.

"I celebrated Chris Tremain as a good mate positively Backing The Bay, as part of the general debate a few weeks back," Mr Foss said. "I mentioned the near 100 per cent increase in foot patrols across the Bay. Across the country, reoffending and country crime is down."

Mr Foss said one crime was one too many.

"Sadly, some Eastern region statistics such as reported domestic violence complaints continue to increase - that is a tragedy, however part of this is due to the increased confidence of victims to report incidents.

"Some other statistics are lower for example: in the year to December 31 the Eastern District total recorded crime rose 3.4 per cent but Tairawhiti was 4.9 per cent and Hawke's Bay was 2.7 per cent."

In Hawke's Bay, robbery, extortion and related offences decreased 5.6 per cent, illicit drug offences decreased 36.7 per cent, property damage decreased 2.5 per cent, public order offences decreased 16.5 per cent and miscellaneous offences decreased 6.3 per cent, he said.

"In the year ended Dec 31 2008, recorded crime in Hawke's Bay was 16,912. This was under the previous Labour Government. Under this National Government, recorded crime in Hawke's Bay has dropped. This is telling it straight."