Police optimistic in war against P

By BRIDGET CARTER

NOTE: Figures provided by police and referred to in this story are incorrect. Please refer to the correction.

Just a slight increase in drug offending has the Police Commissioner optimistic that methamphetamine-related crime has stabilised.

Police statistics released yesterday show non-cannabis-related drug crimes, including those involving amphetamine-type stimulants such as pure methamphetamine or "P", increased 1 per cent last year compared to a 28.4 per cent increase for 2002.

Two hundred methamphetamine laboratories were shut down by police - 53 more than the previous year.

Commissioner Rob Robinson said he hoped the figures were starting to reflect the police efforts in fighting the war against P.

"I would hope the problem is stabilising," he said.

"Staff up and down the country see the awful effect of the drugs. They are highly addictive and make a real mess of our young folk."

The statistics show crime rose 0.5 per cent last year.

Police resolved just over 40 per cent of crime by way of a warning, caution or prosecution.

The rate was slightly higher than for 2002.

Other countries with a resolution rate of 40 per cent would be "absolutely celebrating", said Mr Robinson.

Two of his biggest concerns were that 56 more people died on roads last year than they did in 2002 and figures showing a rise in family violence.

He said the rate of family violence was higher than in other countries.

"We have given it a lot of focus, but police alone will never solve this," he said.

"This is an issue for all of New Zealand, not just the police."

Mr Robinson said although the figures were "not absolute roses" overall, they were positive.

It was pleasing to see the reduction in robberies and homicides.

And despite a 5.8 per cent jump in disorder offences, Mr Robinson said he was pleased with the results that appeared to follow from the use of liquor bans.

Northland and Tasman had the highest crime resolution rate with just over half of crimes in these areas resolved.

The lowest rate was in Canterbury, where just over one third of crime were resolved.

Crime declined in Northland, the Waikato and Eastern districts, but rose 0.1 per cent in Bay of Plenty.

Police Minister George Hawkins was pleased with the figures, saying they reflected the additional money, staff, upgraded police stations and laws introduced in the past year.

But National Party law and order spokesman Tony Ryall was critical.

He said for the fourth year in a row, there was a rise in serious violence. Last year the rise was 1.5 per cent.