Proposed 'theft from a tourist' law under scrutiny

The practicality of introducing tougher penalties for criminals who prey on tourists is being questioned.

Rotorua lawyer Jonathan Temm has suggested a specific charge called "theft from a tourist" should be introduced.

He envisaged the charge would carry a stiffer maximum jail sentence and would be designed for those criminals who preyed on tourist vehicles at crime hot spots, such as Kerosene Creek and Huka Falls.

The idea has some political and police support, but not everyone is convinced a specific charge will help reduce crimes against tourists.

Rotorua Hotel Managers' Association president Richard De Graaf said the idea seemed "weird" because there should be no difference between stealing from a visitor or a local.

"If they are trying to prevent crime, they should do that across the board," he said.

"Stealing a lawnmower off a local and stealing a handbag off a tourist is all the same to me."

Justice Minister Mark Burton, who is MP for Taupo, said there would be problems applying such a law change.

"For instance, would the new law apply to domestic visitors or just foreigners?"

He said the court had a range of sentencing options available to it, which could take into account aggravating factors and specific circumstances of individual cases.

Mr Burton said the law applied equally to all, whether the victims were from New Zealand or overseas.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton was not confident a law change would make a difference.

He said thieves who were determined to steal from tourists did not care about the country's image overseas and he was unsure whether a longer stint behind bars would be a deterrent.

"I can understand the idea and what people would want to achieve, the question is whether it would work or should our energy be directed in other areas?" Mr Hickton said.

But Inspector Steve Bullock of the Rotorua police applauded the debate because he said tourist crime was crippling the city's image overseas.

New figures released by the Ministry of Tourism show more international visitors are choosing to come to Rotorua and are staying slightly longer.

"There is a real risk for tourism in Rotorua," Mr Bullock said. "We will always get the tourists here, but if they are feeling unsafe they will not stay long. We will become a place where people visit but don't stay."

While Mr Bullock could not comment on the judicial process, he said theft from a car where the property was worth more than $1000 already carried a maximum penalty of seven years' jail.

"I believe that penalty is fitting for such a crime."

But he said the police were keen to get behind any problem-solving that would help reduced tourist crime.

"We would welcome any legislation change that is going to assist in removing criminals for longer periods. If they are behind bars, that's the ultimate crime prevention."

The dangers of tourist areas are publicised on a British government website which says reports of thefts from unattended vehicles, especially hire cars and camper vans in major tourist areas such as Rotorua, the Coromandel Peninsula and Queenstown are increasing.

The Lonely Planet's New Zealand guide has recently added a line warning about Kerosene Creek that says "cars have been broken into in this area, don't leave your valuables in your vehicle".

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)