Jenny Shipley's claim to have achieved a 'stunning' reduction in crime will hit a wall of public disbelief," said Labour's Justice spokesperson Phil Goff.

"Her boast is further evidence that she just makes it up or isn't living in the real world.

"Violent crime since National's election in 1990 has in fact risen by a massive 93%. Overall crime has risen 14.6%.

"Even the latest figures on short-term changes in crime provide little comfort for Mrs Shipley.

"In the last year, violent crime has not reduced. Burglaries, the crime to which most New Zealanders are subject, has come down imperceptibly, by 0.5%.

"Regrettably, clearance of burglaries has dropped still further to 11.1%.

"In other words, 89% of burglaries are not being solved. Little wonder that the criminal fraternity believe they can break into homes with little prospect of being brought to justice.

"Many people no longer report burglaries, knowing that the police are unlikely to respond.

"We need new legislation to combat receiving and to allow fingerprinting of young offenders to help the police get on top of burglary.

"We need bail and sentencing laws which take a tough line against hard core repeat offenders.

"We need police to regard burglaries as a priority rather than a minor offence.

"Mrs Shipley's claim that putting young offenders 'back on the streets is no longer an option' is even more astounding.

"There remains a lack of secure facilities for hard core youth offenders. Youth Court judges complain repeatedly that young offenders are put back with families unable or unwilling to control them. Around 72% of family group conference recommendations currently break down or are not fully implemented. More than 92% of corrective training graduates reoffend. Chief District Court Judge Ron Young has complained his expressions of concern have not resulted in any real change.

"As long as Mrs Shipley continues to delude herself that everything is fine, the law and order problems faced by ordinary New Zealanders will remain unresolved," Mr Goff said.

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