RECORDED crime in Wanganui has dropped slightly.
National police figures released yesterday showed 5048 crimes were recorded in the Wanganui region in the 2007 calendar year, a drop of 206 from the previous year.
Violent crime was also down, with 30 fewer cases reported last year than in 2006.
There was one recorded homicide (the Jhia Te Tua case) two kidnappings, and 271 serious assaults.
The Wanganui figures compared favourably to national statistics, which show a nationwide rise in reported crime of just over 2000 cases, and over 6000 more violent crimes across the country.
Crime solving was also improving, with more than 51 percent of crimes reported in Wanganui resolved satisfactorily. This compares to 49.8 percent resolved in 2006.
Dishonesty offences were the most common reported crimes in Wanganui, and had the worst resolution rate.
They made up more than half of the recorded crimes, with less than a third resolved.
Area Commander Duncan MacLeod, of Wanganui Police, said the crime figures released yesterday were a reflection of hard work of local police.
"The figures for 2007 reflect a decade of innovation, hard work and collaboration with all partner agencies resulting in over 4500 fewer reported crimes than a decade ago," he said.
"This has to be good for our community, our way of life, and the Wanganui area."
He said while any reported crime is unacceptable, Wanganui had a caring community with strong leaders and a will to reduce crime.
Police Minister Annette King responded positively to the release, and said they showed New Zealand had not become a more dangerous place to live.
"Time and time again, whenever there is a random cluster of murders, the doom merchants and people with political barrows to push claim our streets are no longer safe to walk in."
"The reality is that murder statistics don't fluctuate much from year to year ... murders are not out of control, as some would suggest."
But Whanganui MP and National police spokesperson Chester Borrows said the figures had to be taken with a grain of salt.
"There's been a raise in violent crime nationwide, although its not huge. And if you look at the Wanganui figures there's been 789 apprehensions for violent crime, but only 757 offences, so something doesn't stack up, unless some are for offences that occurred in the year before." "And the resolution rates for dishonesty and property damage are very low. I'd love to see the minister explaining that."
He said the police were doing "a great job", but there needed to be more incentive for people to report smaller crimes.
Wanganui should also be proud of its performance.
"I think in comparison, we've done well and that has a lot to do with the way the police respond and the other services available in the region."
Overall crime figures drop
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