Big reduction in crime in Rotorua

FILE

Rotorua is leading the charge in the fight against crime, new statistics have shown.

Recorded crime fell by 7.4 per cent across the Bay of Plenty in the 2013 calendar year, following a 7.1 per cent reduction in 2012, and bringing the district crime rate to the lowest since electronic records began in 1995.

Bay of Plenty police said in a statement a focus on victims and prevention was having an impact on the level of crime.

All four areas within the Bay of Plenty district recorded a reduction, for the first time since 2008.

Rotorua led the way in 2013 with a reduction of 11.2 per cent, followed by Eastern Bay of Plenty with 7.9 per cent, Taupo with 6.6 per cent and Western Bay of Plenty with 4.2 per cent.

The district has seen reductions in almost every crime category including:

• Acts intended to cause injury - 7.6 per cent reduction (291 offences)
• Sexual assault and related offences - 23 per cent reduction (73 offences)
• Burglary - 5.4 per cent reduction (263 offences)
• Theft - 3.7 per cent reduction (391 offences)
• Public order - 10.2 per cent reduction (381 offences)

A 3.3 per cent rise was recorded for 'robbery, extortion and related offences' and when broken down this equates to 4 blackmail or extortion offences and 1 additional robbery in the district during the year. A 20.2 per cent increase was also recorded for 'abduction, harassment and other related offences against a person' entirely attributed to harassment and threatening behaviour.

Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Glenn Dunbier said: "The results are very pleasing and I believe they reflect the significant work that we are doing to prevent crime. It is particularly important that we never lose sight of the fact that there are victims linked to most of these recorded crimes, so reduction in the crime means a reduction in the number of people suffering trauma and that is at the heart of what we are working to achieve.

"Every day staff in the district are working tirelessly to identify what issues are affecting our communities and to find innovative ways to address those issues so that we can keep everyone safe, and stay one step ahead of the criminals".