The Government has been asleep at the wheel in the face of an explosion of ram raids and youth crime in New Zealand, and
today’s announcement is too little too late, National’s Police Spokesperson Mark Mitchell says.
“Retail businesses will be deeply disappointed the Government has taken so long just to announce a band-aid solution of
only $6 million to go towards strobe lights and fog cannons. It will do little to stop a car from smashing through the
front window.
“It has been ten days since Cabinet agreed on funding for ram-raid businesses. The Government claimed that they acted
quickly in response to the ram-raids, but businesses who have been raided multiple times will beg to differ.
“Youths stealing cars and driving them into retail premises have been causing thousands of dollars of damage for
businesses and communities for months. The Ministers announcement of $6 million won’t stretch very far, forcing some
businesses to fend for themselves.
“The Police need to urgently review their pursuit policy - since the change in policy, 83 per cent of fleeing drivers
are not getting arrested. Young offenders have realised they can steal a car or flee the scene of a crime without the
risk of being pursued or stopped by the Police.
“This announcement was nothing more than a photo opportunity for a Minister who has lost the confidence of the public
and the police. Labour is good at announcing funding but fails to deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders.
“Until this Labour Government cracks down on crime, youth offenders, gang members and organised crime groups will
continue to behave and act with impunity.”