24 February 2014

Collins Comments

Hard work paying off on crime

Since June 2011 the total crime rate across the country has fallen 13 per cent, violent crime has fallen 9 per cent, youth crime is down 22 per cent and the reoffending rate is down 11.4 per cent. These interimBetter Public Service  results show we are on track to meet our targets by 2017.

The results are due to the hard work and dedication of many sectors within Justice – and I know our Counties Manukau divisions are a big part of that.

Crime in Counties Manukau is down 6 per cent on last year and over 51,000 fewer crimes have been recorded nationally in the year to September 2013. This frees up Police resources and the Courts for more serious cases.

Part of this is due to the number of hours spent on foot patrols in Counties Manukau increasing by 123 per cent since 2011. Smart devices were rolled out to officers last year – meaning they could spent an extra 30 minutes per shift in our communities.

I’m also very pleased to see there has been a considerable drop in illegal street racing behaviour in Counties Manukau. Since 2009 this dangerous behaviour has dropped by 20.3 per cent in our district. This means our roads are safer, there are fewer deaths and injuries and boy racers getting the message that this behaviour won’t be tolerated.

It’s easy to see how this is all working together to bring our crime rate to the lowest levels in 33 years!

First partnership school opens

The first Partnership School has opened in neighbouring suburb Manurewa. South Auckland Middle School is the first of five Partnership Schools to open this term and will take a new approach to how education can work for our young people – particularly those students struggling in mainstream education.

I was honoured to attend the opening of South Auckland Middle School, alongside Prime Minister John Key, Education Minister Hekia Parata, Hon Dr Pita Sharples and Hon John Banks. I wish South Auckland Middle School and its students all the best for its inaugural school year.

Over three quarters of school leavers are now achieving NCEA Level 2 – up from 67 per cent in 2008 to 77 per cent in 2013. This is fantastic news with increases seen across the board as Maori and Pasifika achievement also continues to rise up to 59 and 72 per cent respectively.

Best wishes

Hon Judith Collins
MP for Papakura

ENDS

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