Police put in big effort to counter terrorism

New Zealand has taken significant steps to address security concerns after the terrorist attacks in the United States and Indonesia, Police Commissioner Rob Robinson says.

In the police annual report, Mr Robinson outlines achievements the force had made over the year to June 30.

One of the main goals for police in the last year was to implement national security initiatives concerning aviation, security, overseas postings and counter-terrorism activities.

"The prime responsibility for detecting and preventing terrorism in New Zealand lies with police. We have taken that responsibility very seriously, placing appropriate staff and resources into security activities," Mr Robinson said.

The Government introduced the Terrorism Suppression Act and promptly outlawed extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah, linked to the Bali bombings on October 12 last year. The bombings at Kuta Beach killed 202 people including three New Zealanders and more than 80 Australians.

The police report said significant steps had been taken to uphold New Zealand's security.

Security screening and supporting coverage was provided to all international airports and domestic airports that regularly handled aircraft seating more than 90 passengers.

"An additional 26 police officers were stationed at the six major airports to meet domestic and international standards for police response time," the report said.

Mr Robinson said it was "advantageous to have a presence in the main intelligence hubs" and this had led police to set up liaison posts in Washington DC, London and Jakarta.

"Benefits included the collection and evaluation of foreign and domestic intelligence, the prevention of New Zealand being used as a safe haven from which terrorists can operate and a focus on terrorism and transnational crime," the report said.

The posts had strengthened New Zealand's bilateral and multilateral international security, intelligence relationships and information sharing.

They were "a key source of information flow" between New Zealand authorities and overseas investigative and intelligence agencies.

The police had formed a Strategic Intelligence Unit of five officers and nine non-sworn staff, whose fulltime focus was on counter-intelligence and transnational crime information.

"The unit ensures the New Zealand police has a professional, co-ordinated capability to deliver high-quality and timely intelligence on security issues," the report said.

Other goals of reducing crime and solving more cases also showed good results last year, Mr Robinson said.

DNA forensic testing was used effectively to convict Jules Mikus last October for the sexual assault and murder of Napier schoolgirl Teresa Cormack in 1987.

"The verdict justified the commitment over 15 years of current and former police staff involved in the inquiry, who had never given up hope that the person responsible for Teresa's death would be found. This underscores the commitment of police to solve serious crimes," Mr Robinson said.

The number of clandestine laboratories for manufacturing methamphetamine that were discovered rose to 154 - 88 more than the year before.

"These drugs are a scourge and will devastate many lives.

"Police have dedicated more resources to detecting clandestine labs and we take seriously our responsibility to apprehend those who seek to profit from others' misery," he said.

The overall resolution rate of recorded crime was up to 43.7 per cent - a 20-year high.



"While tougher enforcement bumped up the figures, strictly enforcing bail and curfews to ensure compliance, enforcing licensing laws and public place liquor bans, and closely monitoring truancy did improve community safety."

Tribute for Abbott

The police annual report pays tribute to Senior Constable Keith Abbott, who was acquitted of a murder charge after a private prosecution trial, taken by the family of Waitara man Steven Wallace.

Mr Abbott shot Mr Wallace to death in the town's main street after Mr Wallace had smashed windows and a police car with a baseball bat and golf clubs and threatened to hit Mr Abbott.

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson said he had the utmost admiration for Mr Abbott and the way he conducted himself during the trial.

- NZPA