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Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say data shows violent crime has fallen for the first time since 2018, “indicating the Government’s tough-on-crime and victims-first approach is working”.
“After year-on-year increases in violent crime since 2018, it is encouraging to see a reversal of this rise with a two per cent drop in the numbers for 2024,” Mitchell says.
“It’s especially encouraging when you consider violent crime increased by 51 per cent between 2018 and 2023.
“This drop coincides with New Zealand’s prison population hitting its highest level since 2018, and a raft of other police statistics showing crime overall reducing, with total victimisations down two per cent, and assaults and serious assaults both down one per cent.
“This is good to see, and what it shows is that after six years of emptying our prisons, and a soft-on-crime approach, the Government’s approach of restoring consequences for crime, and backing police with new powers, is beginning to yield results.”
Mitchell says police are getting back to basics. They’re highly visible and demonstrating why they’re a world-class police force, he says.
“New tools enabling police to crack down on gangs have proved their worth, with the insignia ban enabling police to net further charges on a raft of things including drugs and firearms.
“Getting police back out on the beat with 40 per cent more foot patrols has seen aggravated robberies drop by eight per cent, and the upward trend around theft in retail premises starting to slow.
“With theft in retail premises up 11 per cent there’s still more work to do, but I’m pleased to note the violent element of that has plateaued, and the upward trend overall is slowing, which will be welcome relief for our small retail business owners across the country.”
Goldsmith says the latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey also shows how effective the Government’s work to restore law and order has been.
“There were 24,000 fewer victims over the year ending October, 2024, compared to June, 2024.
“These results are extremely promising, but we expect the data to remain volatile before a longer-term trend emerges. There’s still more work to do.
“It’s important to remember this survey covers a 24-month period, so it will take some time before we see the full positive results of tougher legislation.
“Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of serious violent crime by 2029.”
