The number of burglaries in Whanganui is the same as three years ago. Photo/File
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters claimed last week that crime was out of control in Whanganui.
"Most people know crime is getting out of hand," he said.
"Police data reveals over 7000 burglaries were reported in Whanganui between 2006 and June 2016."
And Mr Peters said police were not on duty at the times when crime was occurring most.
"The police rosters we have - for 11 December, 2016, to 17 January, 2017, do not make good reading.
"Either there's a lot of crime in Whanganui between 7am and 5pm, or this Government is penny pinching when the people who live there most need police."
However, according to data acquired for the Chronicle, the number of burglaries in Whanganui has remained stable since mid-2014. The figures are included in an in-depth look at crime data led by Herald Insights.
The data shows the most common time for crimes to be committed between July 2014 and December 2016 was 3pm and, for burglaries specifically, it was 2pm.
The third most common time for burglaries was midnight, with 33 burglaries between 12 midnight and 1am over two and a half years.
Mr Peters said: "On December 14 last year, at 2pm, 106 police were on duty - Whanganui's 'peak police' on the rosters we have.
"Contrast that with January 10, 2017, when, between 2.45am and 6am, a solitary officer was covering 10 towns from Waiouru to Whanganui."
Approximately 3 per cent of all crime for which the time is known in Whanganui took place between 3am and 6am.
Mr Peters said the Government's recent promise of another 67 police officers for the Central District was not enough, while Labour's police spokesman Stuart Nash said the rollout of new police over four years was not fast enough.
The Central District covers much of the central North Island including Whanganui, Rangitikei, Ruapehu and Palmerston North. Police have not yet announced where in the district the officers will be sent.
Burglary is by far the most commonly reported crime in Whanganui, and there have been just over 2000 burglaries, including breaking and entering incidents, in the district since July 2014.
Thieves are generally opportunistic and will choose the easiest target.
More burglaries were recorded in the Cooks Gardens are, which police designate as stretching from Queen's Park to Hatrick Street, but Laird Park, Gonville South, Aramaho and Castlecliff North were also popular with burglars.
AA Insurance spokeswoman Amelia Mcandrew said the number of burglary claims actually fell last year, although the average claim was higher.
She encouraged people to consider extra security features to deter criminals.
"Thieves are generally opportunistic and will choose the easiest target.
"So an alarm and deadlocks on doors and windows may be the deterrent to make them think twice before breaking into your home."
No type of crime has risen significantly in the Whanganui district over the last three years.
For an in-depth look at local crime data, go to http://insights.nzherald.co.nz/article/counting-crime
AA Insurance's tips to reduce your burglary risk:
1. Install alarms, security lights, and deadlocks on doors and windows. Although remember they'll only work if you use them - even if you aren't out for long.
2. Let your neighbours know what to do if your alarm is triggered, even by accident, and be sure you know what to do if theirs activates, like call the police or, if it's safe to do so, get a description of the culprit and a licence plate number to help them track the offender.
3. Make sure your valuables, including TVs and stereos, cannot be seen from the outside of your home, and if you're leaving jewellery behind then keep it well hidden.
4. Don't advertise the fact your home is unattended, such as messages on your answering machine and on social networking sites.
5. Make it difficult for someone to break into your home - lock your shed, put away your tools and wheelie bins, and trim trees and shrubs so there are no places for burglars to hide.
6. Lock up your lawn mower and garden tools when not in use, as they may end up working in someone else's garden this summer.
7. If you're out the back of your house don't leave windows or doors open at the front.
8. Let your neighbours know if you're going to be away, give them your contact phone number, and ask them to clear your mail, put washing on the line, or park in your driveway.
9. Be careful when disposing of any tell-tale packaging for TVs, gaming consoles and any new purchases.
10. Keep your house and car keys away from your front door, and don't put personal details on them like your name, number or address in case they're lost or stolen.
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