Crime statistics for the 2001 calendar year are largely good news, with crime down, resolutions up and burglary at a
20-year low, Police Minister George Hawkins said today.
“Recorded crime dropped, and the resolution rate for all crime increased to 42 percent.
“The downward trend in burglaries continued last year. Since becoming government, we have driven burglaries down to
60,345 recorded offences per year. Things have certainly changed for the better since burglaries hit a high of 96,322
per year in the 1990s, under the National government. (A drop of over 37 percent)
“In 2001 there were over 6000 fewer burglaries than in the year 2000 - that is 119 fewer burglaries every week.
“Burglary is a significant crime, because it is a known entry point to serious crime. This government is committed to
cracking down on burglary, and the police are working hard to get results.
“Other good news includes a two percent drop in dishonesty crimes overall (burglary, car conversion, theft, receiving
and fraud), and a six percent decrease in the number of sexual offences.
Mr Hawkins voiced his concern at the increase in violent crime shown in the latest statistics.
“Any increase in violence is concerning and unacceptable. However, it is important to look at what sort of violence
accounts for this increase. It is not the more serious violent crimes like homicide and robbery (which actually
decreased in 2001). The increase in violence is accounted for by more recorded “street disorder” type crimes, like
assault, intimidation and threats. In recent years the police have become less tolerant of street disorder, which may
partly explain this increase.
“The police are keeping pace, resolving an impressive 77 percent of all violence last year. But as a community we must
all refuse to tolerate violence - in homes, or on the streets. The police are just one part of the solution.
“Overall, the police are doing a great job and I congratulate them on keeping crime in check, said Mr Hawkins.
Crime statistics fact sheet attached- the Official 2001 Crime Statistics are available on www.police.govt.nz/resources/
KEY FACTS - 2001 CALENDAR YEAR CRIME STATISTICS
Crime down, resolutions up
- Crime is down 0.2% (from 427,230 recorded offences in 2000 to 426,526 in 2001)
- The resolution rate for all crime is up from 41.4% in 2000 to 42% in 2001
- The crime rate per 10,000 head of population is down (from 1,112/10,000 in 2000 to 1,099/10,000 in 2001)
Burglary continues to drop
- Burglaries are down by 9.3% (from 66,520 in 2000 to 60,345 in 2001).
- The resolution of burglaries has improved from 15.8% resolved in 2000 to 16% resolved in 2001
- Since 1999 we have seen a 19% drop in the number of burglaries (from 74,490 to 60,345)
Improved resolution rate for violent crime
- The resolution rate for all violent crime improved from 76.6% resolved in 2000 to 77.2% resolved in 2001.
Sexual offending down
- Sexual offending is down by 6.2% (from 3,314 offences in 2000 to 3,109 in 2001)
- Sexual offending on a population basis is down (from 8.6/10,000 in 2000 to 8/10,000 in 2001)
Decrease in homicide & robbery
- Homicides are down by 6.1% (from 99 in 2000 to 93 in 2001)
- Murders in particular are down from 56 murders in 2000, to 53 in 2001.
- Robberies are down by 6.8% (from 1,779 in 2000 to 1,658 in 2001)
Dishonesty crimes are down
- Dishonesty crimes (which includes burglary, car conversion, theft, receiving and fraud) are down by 2.3% (from 254,750
in 2000 to 249,002 in 2001)
- The resolution rate for dishonesty crimes has improved from 22.6% resolved in 2000 to 22.7% resolved in 2001.
- Dishonesty crimes on a population basis are down (from 663/10,000 in 2000, to 642/10,000 in 2001)
Open Road speeds have decreased
- The open road mean speed decreased by 1.2 kmph in 2001
Road Toll at a 38-year low
- The road toll for 2001 was 453, the lowest road tolls since 1964.
Despite an increasing population, the Police are continuing to do a great job
Estimated population of NZ (Statistics NZ):
1999:3,825,800
2000:3,843,200
2001:3,880,500