Good news post

That crime statistics are steady is good news.

Recorded offences for the fiscal year increased by only 115 (0.03%) and recorded crime per 10,000 of population decreased by just over 1% during the year. Police resolved 2,194 more offences than in the previous twelve months taking the resolution rate from 44.2% to 44.7%.

These are very pleasing results from a policing perspective said Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls.

An increase in violent crime is also good news because it indicates a successful focus on domestic violence.

An increase of 4.4% in violence in part reflects the continuing focus on domestic violence and the continuing community intolerance to acts of family violence. Reporting of such crimes is going up.

50 murders is good news because it isn't 59

It is pleasing that murders were down to 50 for the year from 59.

The increase in sexual crime is also good news because it indicates police are working with other agencies

Sexual offences, which make up only 0.8% of recorded crime and known to be significantly under-reported, increased by 4.6% which also reflects Police working with other agencies and an increase in the trend to report such crimes as a result of increasing public awareness and reduced tolerance by society.

An increase in property damage offences is good news because it reflects a focus on graffiti

The increase of 8.4% in property damage offences reflects Police and local communities focusing on alcohol abuse and graffiti.

And finally, the decrease in crime in northern districts is very good news

"The very encouraging reductions in crime in the three Auckland Districts is a result of the tremendous work by staff in those Districts combined with the increase in the numbers of staff over the past two years."

Phew. So much good news. It's hard to take it all in.