9 August 2002

Dunne Deal - What About Crime?

United Future has not secured any action to reduce crime despite Peter Dunne's promises, says National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall.

"There are no tougher sentences. There's no extra police. There's nothing on reducing crime.

"It's fine to strengthen victims' rights, but it is commonsense to actually stop people becoming victims in the first place.

"Did Labour tell United Future about the latest police crime statistics? The crime stats for the year ended 30 June 2002 have been prepared. They were first available from mid July ... well before Election Day. They are tipped to show an increase in overall crime.

"Both the Prime Minister and Phil Goff said before the election that the latest information shows overall crime and violent crime coming down. Who believes that? Tauranga has had 10 armed robberies in 11 weeks. Auckland's violent crime rate is at record levels and the city is short over 110 frontline police.

"In his rush to sign a deal, Mr Dunne has failed to ask the hard questions and get the honest detail he needs. He will regret his lack of action on crime.

"National made law and order a major election issue. We spent 18 months warning the government on violent crime, methamphetamine and police shortages.

"We say that the next set of official police statistics will make crime an even bigger issue in coming months. And also the subject of some debate on ministerial honesty," says Mr Ryall.

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