Crime Results For Wellington
Thursday 29 Aug 2002
Wellington Police District Commander Superintendent John Kelly is quite right to draw attention to Wellington's
position as one of the safest regions in New Zealand, ACT Justice Spokesman and Wellington-based MP Stephen Franks said
today.
"We could capitalise on our good fortune to attract people to Wellington - in particular the kind of highly qualified
life style immigrants who come to New Zealand looking for a safe, clean, green place to raise their children.
"But if we make a feature of Wellington's success we just surprise people who otherwise wouldn't know about the high
risks of being a victim of violent crime in this country. Ordinary people in many parts of New Zealand are more at risk
of robbery or mugging than most US citizens. Our safety from crime is not a good point to draw to general attention.
"One disadvantage for other New Zealanders of the Wellington performance is that it may encourage the kind of smugness
we've seen from politicians who spend most of their time safely in Wellington and away from the risks facing their local
constituents," Mr Franks said.
Ends