Full analysis and statistics in tomorrow's ODT
Otago Rural Area Commander, Inspector Mike Cook said clampdowns on drugs and disorder offences were behind the 5% spike in recorded offences for 2009 compared to 2008.
The crime-solving rate of 54.5% in rural Otago was above the national average of 47.8%.
"This reflects the fact that police have listened to their local communities and taken a proactive approach to curbing drug and behavioural offences.
This has resulted in the rise in cannabis (+154 offences), disorder (+117 offences) and breach of liquor ban (+41 offences) offences," Insp Cook said.
Inspector Cook said it was disappointing that violent offences had increased by 4.7%. This was driven mainly by an increase in grievous assaults (+23 offences), and serious assaults (+15 offences).
There were 87 more property damage offences in 2009 (bringing the total to 1158 in 2009), compared with the previous year.
Property damage made up 19% of Otago Rural's total reported crime and the increase came from a 10% rise (+99 offences) in wilful damage (1093 offences).
Insp Cook said better reporting would account for much of this rise.
"It was pleasing to note a decrease in recorded dishonesty offences, with decreases in thefts (-33 offences) and car conversion (-33 offences).
Although the numbers are low, the trend is reassuring and highlights some of the strong proactive policing strategies being undertaken across the area," said Inspector Cook.
