Labour Must Not Ignore Police Call

Friday 15 Aug 2003 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Crime & Justice

ACT New Zealand Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today supported the New Zealand Police Association's call for more police, in light of latest crime statistics showing that crime has increased by more than five percent over the past two years.

"The Police Association knows exactly what must be done to bring crime down, and it is time the Government started listening," Dr Newman said.

"New Zealand is one of the most under-policed countries in the world. It is no wonder that violent crime is now rising out of control - an increase of almost 15 percent since Labour took office.

"In May this year, police asked for 169 extra sworn officers - they got none, only a Budget promise of 50 next January. To add insult to injury, New Zealand police have now lost 35 more staff to the Solomon Islands, with no replacements in sight.

"This explains why not only most classes of crime are rising, but why there has been a huge 60 percent increase in drug and gang-related crime.

"On behalf of all New Zealanders, I challenge the Minister to come clean and tell us exactly what he intends to do to halt this rise in crime. Government spin is simply not acceptable. New Zealand deserves some real answers to a real problem that is not going away," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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