Otago-Southland remains on of the safest places in the country, after Southern District Police recorded a double-digit drop in crime, latest crime figures reveal.
Yesterday, police released the crime statistics for 2011-12, which show recorded offences had dropped 5.2% nationally, driven by large decreases in Canterbury (11.7%) and the Southern District (11.2%).
The drop in Canterbury was attributed largelyto the aftermath of the February 22, 2011 earthquake, which resulted in fewer reports of theft and property damage offences.
In the Southern District, Otago Rural led the way, with a drop of 14.1%, followed by Dunedin/Clutha (down 11.6%), and Southland (down 8.9%).
All three area commanders attributed the reductions to proactive crime reduction strategies.
Dunedin/Clutha area commander Inspector Greg Sparrow highlighted the 21.2% drop in disorderly behaviour, which was driven largely by an increased police presence in the Octagon.
It was also pleasing to note a drop in vehicle crime (5.3%) and burglaries (7.3%), but the public needed to be mindful about securing vehicles and their homes to ensure they did not become victims, he said.
Otago Rural area commander Inspector Mike Cook said property damage offences had dropped 18.8%, while acts intending to cause injury dropped 13.4%.
The area would continue to set "ambitious crime reduction targets to ensure that our communities remain the safest in New Zealand", he said.
Southland area commander Inspector Lane Todd said theft and theft-related offences were down 11.4%, burglary was down 10.9% and illicit drug offences dropped 30%.
Southern District Superintendent Bob Burns said the district-wide decreases in crime validated a shift from a traditional policing model to a proactive and preventive approach.
He said resolution rates were just as important as overall reductions in crime, as they helped give closure to victims and made people feel confident in reporting crimes.
The resolution rate for the district increased from 54.5% in 2010-11 to 56% for the 2011-12 year.
