- Police Minister Mark Mitchell said cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland’s CBD is “getting traction”.
According to a statement released by Mitchell, police data shows from January 1 to July 31 there was a 22% reduction in serious assaults within the Auckland CBD when compared with the same time last year.
He added the Government was supporting police with an additional 500 officers across the country.
“For Auckland CBD, this has seen an additional 21 beat staff deployed from July this year, bringing the total to 51.”
Mitchell said the data showed “we are turning a corner” with a “whole of system co-ordinated approach”.
“In May I chaired the first of what are now regular meetings with key stakeholders including Auckland City Council, Kainga Ora, Ministry of Social Development, ratepayers and residents’ groups, business associations, social service providers and the local MP to develop and implement a co-ordinated strategy to make Auckland the safe and vibrant city it should be.”
He said the close collaboration was “opening doors” for police to connect with community providers involved in accommodation, addiction, and family wellbeing support.
“Giving police a wider range of tools means that police can find the right support for the right situation.”
The release said 97 people have been referred to these services between July 1 and September 10.
Mitchell said efforts to reduce reliance on emergency housing have also proven “extremely successful”, with a 68% drop in the number of households in emergency housing in the Auckland CBD.
“Local authorities are seeing progress – with Auckland Council saying crime has dropped by 35% in the Auckland CBD and Heart of the City saying retail crime has dropped by 50%.”
He said Kiwis ought to feel safe going about their daily lives.
“Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as violent and retail crime soared.
“That is why this Government is focused on restoring law and order, and putting victims first, ahead of offenders.”
