Crime prevention at work in Tasman
Tasman, 1 April 2014 - Total crime in Tasman Police District, which includes Nelson Bays, Marlborough and the West Coast
is at its lowest point since 1996 according to figures released today by Statistics New Zealand.
Crime statistics to 31 December 2013 show that crime in the district has been steadily declining since a peak in 2009
when a total of 18,804 offences were recorded. In 2013 a total of 14,634 offences were recorded.
The District's crime resolution rate also remains strong at 51.6%. Since 1996 the population in the district has also
increased by 21,870 people.
District Commander Superintendent Richard Chambers said the results being achieved were no surprise.
"My staff are working harder and smarter to keep the communities we serve safe. While there are always areas we will
identify that require some extra focus, I've very pleased to see we are maintaining and advancing our good results.
"We have embedded the Prevention First Strategy right across Tasman District which has enabled us to sustain the
reductions in total crime."
Serious assaults have declined from last year and on a population basis (per 10,000 people) serious assaults are at the
lowest level since 2002.
Public place assaults are steadily declining. On a population basis they are now at the lowest level since 1999.
Public order offences are also down 20% with all three areas in the district recording resolution rates for this
offending well above 80%.
Dishonesty related offences remain the biggest driver of Police work across the district, accounting for 26.51% of all
offences recorded. However these types off offences were down in 2013 over the previous two years.
Overall robbery figures remained the same as last year, however the Marlborough Area had a 31.6% reduction.
Unlawful entry with intent to burgle was up from 1280 offences in 2012 to 1505 offences in 2013, a rise of 17.6%.
However, theft and related offences were down 3.5%. At the same time offences for receiving or handling the proceeds of
crime were up 21.1%.
Offences of a sexual nature have continued to increase, but as in other recent years the number of offences can be
attributed to a smaller group of offenders being brought to account for multiple crimes. In 2012 there were 127 offences
and that rose to 198 in 2013.
Overall drug offending was down 9.8%, however cultivation of drugs was up 10.9% which is a direct result of proactive
work by Police locating cannabis plots and grow rooms.
Superintendent Chambers said these positive results across the board also meant there was a reduction in the number of
people falling victim to crime.
"Under the Prevention First Strategy we have a strong victim focus. That entails firstly trying to prevent people
becoming victims and secondly working with those people to ensure they don't become repeat victims.
"I believe the work we have done to assist people in learning strategies to keep themselves safer is an integral part to
our overall crime reduction and I've very pleased with the results we have achieved across the board," he said.
ENDS