Manukau crime drops - councillor

A nine per cent fall in recorded crime across the Counties Manukau Police District for the October-December 2009 quarter is a promising start in the campaign to tackle criminal behaviour, according to a Manukau City councillor.

Manurewa councillor Daniel Newman, who represents one of the largest police areas in Counties Manukau, said figures released by Police Minister Judith Collins were an early indication that the increase in sworn police staff and other changes to local law enforcement strategies were having a positive effect.

"Across the district a 9 per cent reduction in recorded offending in October, November and December 2009, compared with the same period in 2008, is good news for law abiding residents."

He added the figures coincided with extra police staff in Counties Manukau.

"A drop in violence and dishonesty offences is particularly significant. That is an indication that the police are having a positive influence on preventing crime before it can take place. Community policing, working with youth at-risk, enforcing liquor bans, and increasing police staff numbers to coincide with periods when offending tends to rise are important initiatives.

- NZPA