Big drop in Kiwis affected by crime

1.9 million personal or household crimes occurred in 2013 in Northland, compared with 2.7 million in 2008.

Fewer New Zealanders are experiencing crime compared with five years ago and Northland's top cop has hailed it as good news.

The New Zealand Crime and Safety survey, which takes place every three to five years, said about 1.9 million personal or household crimes occurred in 2013, compared with 2.7 million in 2008.

In 2013, 1.9 million incidents of crime occurred, a 30 per cent reduction from the 2.7 million incidents in 2008.

Northland police commander Superintendant Russell Le Prou welcomed the results and said it was good news for Northlanders.

"This survey shows a significant drop in crime, which means New Zealanders are safer and feel safer. Less crime means less victims and Police's focus on repeat victims, offenders and locations fits in with Minister Adams' commentary that this work is paying off," Mr Le Prou said.

"These results will go some way to lifting the trust and confidence that the public already have in police."

Personal crimes included sexual offences, assault, robbery and threats. Household crimes included burglary, theft and damage to property.

The number of offences and the number of people who experienced crime decreased compared with the previous survey.

Three-quarters of the 7000 respondents said they did not experience any crime in 2013, compared with 63 per cent in 2008.

The number of violent assaults, threats and thefts all fell over the five-year period, though the rate of sexual offending remained steady.

Justice Minister Amy Adams said the results were proof the National-led Government's focus on crime was working.

She said there were still parts of society which experienced disproportionate levels of crime and "this will remain our focus".

The survey showed Maori and lower-income New Zealanders were more likely to be affected by crime.

The survey is based on responses from randomly selected people aged 15 and older. It is designed to complement official police statistics, which did not include unreported crime.

It does not cover manslaughter or homicide, crimes against children, commercial or online crime, or "victimless crimes" such as drug offences.