Rural people call for crime action

Central North Island rural residents say they are tired of looking over their shoulders and are demanding action on brutal crime.

Rural home invasion victim Peter Bentley, Agnes Nicholas, widow of slain Hawkes Bay farmer Jack Nicholas, and Garth McVicar from the Sensible Sentencing Trust were guest speakers at a public meeting in Rotorua this week hosted by Act's justice spokesman Stephen Franks and rural affairs spokesman Gerry Eckhoff.
The aim of the meeting was to discuss the Government's land access legislation and hear more about Mr Franks' members bill, the Crimes (Self Defence) Amendment Bill.

Mrs Nicholas was described as paying the ultimate price for living in the countryside following her husband's shooting by an unknown intruder last August. She said she was wary of the land access legislation, which the Government is promoting as a sensible way to ensure access to publicly owned rivers and lakes.

She said it was not satisfactory that the legislation set boundaries of 50m from homes where members of the public could not go.

"I know how much damage can be done to someone 50m from a gateway.

"I would not like the Government's job but I do hope that Miss (Prime Minister Helen) Clark remembers what she learned in school about fair play.

"I have always felt perfectly safe at our place but if the Government continues with its legislation without any amendments, that will change.

"I don't want to spend the rest of my days ... looking over my shoulder."

Mr Bentley, who was bashed at his home near Te Puke by intruders last Labour Weekend, said the Government had failed him time and time again in recent months.

He said only 4 per cent of New Zealanders believed the country had enough police.

He questioned police leadership, saying someone without a political agenda was needed at the helm.

Mr Bentley also rubbished the judicial system, asking "how can it be that the psychopaths who killed Beverly Bouma are now back at home?"

Mr McVicar, who is chairman of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, said there was no magic wand to fix the problems faced in New Zealand. "But if you believe in something, stand up for it."

- NZPA