John Key MP National Party Leader

1 October 2008

Violent crime up 47% since Labour became Govt

The latest crime statistics show that violent crime has continued to worsen markedly under Helen Clark's Government, says National Party Leader John Key.

"Despite Labour's continuing claims that they are on top of violent crime, the statistics show they are not.

"In just the past year alone, violent crime has jumped 11%.

"This continues an unrelenting climb every year since Labour has been the Government.

"Since 1999, right through their watch, violent crime has jumped by 47%.

"That has meant that in terms of street crime there are two to three more robberies every day than there were when Labour came to office.

"It's also of grave concern that family violence continues to be a growing blot on our society, up 29% in the past year alone.

"Crime is now nastier - the intensity and the violent nature of crime is increasing at staggering rates - and that is something we should all be concerned about.

"National will address these issues as a matter of the highest priority.

"I have already announced plans to enhance the police toolkit, tackle the gangs that deal the drugs that lead to violent crime, and introduce initiatives to confront the youth crime issue and defuse the young human time-bombs that threaten our future.

"I recognise also what a real problem domestic violence is, and that's why last November I released our policy of introducing on-the-spot protection orders to protect vulnerable people from becoming crime victims.

"Labour's answer to this issue has been pathetic.

"After promising at the last election that they would change the Domestic Violence Act, they this week finally fronted up with a bill - after Parliament had closed for the year.

"It's much too little and years too late.

"Labour has failed to deliver safer communities."

ENDS

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