Fewer murders in 2010 stats show
While overall crime is up the rate on a population basis is down, new crime statistics show.
While overall crime is up the rate on a population basis is down, new crime statistics show.
Police Minister Judith Collins welcomed a 6.7 percent drop in total recorded crime per head of population in 2010.
That compared to 3.6 percent increase in the 2009 calendar year.
There were 426,345 recorded offences during the year compared to 451,405 in 2009.
Last year there were 46 murders down from 65 in 2009. Fraud, weapons, drug and burglaries rates were also lower.
However family violence continued to increase (up 1.2 percent), but at a lower rate than in previous years.
All but one Police District (Eastern) recorded decreases in the number of total offences. Adjusted for population growth, all districts recorded fewer offences per head of population last year.
"I am very pleased that recorded crime showed a decrease in 2010. This result is a tribute to the dedication and hard work by our law enforcement officers," Ms Collins said.
"However, this result does not signal a victory over the criminals. While the decrease is consistent with a long-term trend, our crime rates are still unacceptably high.
"Police are applying intense pressure to criminals, and there will be no let up."
The resolution rate dropped slightly last year, from 47.8 percent in 2009 to 47.5 percent in 2010 due to a reduction in the volume of offences that have high resolution rates.
NZPA
Fri, 01 Apr 2011
Fri, 01 Apr 2011
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Fewer murders in 2010 stats show
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