|
Crime statistics for 2002/03 released today show rates for recorded serious assault in the Wairarapa area declined in 2002/03.
Wairarapa MP, Georgina Beyer, says the statistics show the rate of serious assault fell by 11 per cent to 201 incidents from 226 the year before.
The rate of sexual attacks also fell with 24 such attacks recorded, compared with 36 in 2001/02, a decline of 33.3 per cent. Sexual offences overall declined 22.7 per cent.
Car conversion fell 11.9 per cent, with receiving and fraud offences dropping by 4.3 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively.
Police Minister George Hawkins says the figures revealed a national total crime resolution rate of 43.7 per cent, compared with a low of 29.8 per cent in 1991/92.
The figures show a 90.3 per cent resolution rate for drug and anti-social offences for the year, compared with 86.6 per cent in 1991/92, a 79.6 per cent resolution rate for violence offences compared with 72.2 per cent in 1991/92, and a 57.2 per cent resolution rate in sexual offences compared with 48.6 per cent in 1991/92.
Burglary resolution rates were nearly double what they were in the 1990s. Last year's 60,816 burglary offences had a resolution rate of nearly 18 per cent, compared with 9.7 per cent for the 96,339 burglaries in 1992.
Mr Hawkins said dishonesty, property damage and property abuse, and administrative categories also showed increased rates of resolution and the message for offenders was clear.
"One of the main deterrents to committing crime is the fear of being caught. These statistics show police are making the most of modern policing techniques, including DNA capability, to resolve more crime and catch more offenders," he said.
The figures should also lay to rest concerns police were preoccupied with traffic enforcement.
"Road deaths in New Zealand totalled 416, the lowest since records started in 1965. That New Zealand is also experiencing its lowest road toll on record is partly attributable to police especially targeting excessive speed. No-one should have a problem with bringing the road toll down," Mr Hawkins said.
|
|
|
