Crime is trending upwards in Masterton, with police reporting increases in half a dozen categories of violent crimes and property crimes.
Data from the NZ Police Crime Snapshot database shows that crime reported to police increased by 21.5 per cent in the 12 months to September 2022, when compared to the year before.
The database lists crime victimisations reported to police of assault, sexual assault, abduction, robbery, burglary and theft. Within these categories, 1523 crimes were reported to police in Masterton.
The most dramatic increases were of thefts, burglaries and sexual assaults. There were also three abductions in Masterton, compared
with zero the year before.
Elsewhere in Wairarapa, crime numbers were more steady. Whereas reports of burglary had increased across all three districts, assaults, sexual assaults and thefts were all down in Carterton and South Wairarapa. For robberies, there were three in South Wairarapa and one in Carterton. There was also one abduction in South Wairarapa.
Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty said the government had been working to reduce crime by reversing funding cuts to police, crime prevention and education.
“Crime has been trending down since 2017, however the recent spike in ram raids has seen further action.
“Vulnerable small retailers in Wairarapa can apply for effective and practical solutions – such as fog cannons, street lighting, CCTV cameras, alarms, security sirens, roller doors, and planters.
“It’s also important to tackle causes of crime head on. So we have introduced new programmes in prevention and education, providing more rehabilitation to reduce reoffending, and actively pursuing and prosecuting those who participate in illegal gang activity.”
The Government had also funded a more than 10 per cent increase to the Wellington and Wairarapa region since 2017. As of September 30, there were 853 police working across the region, up from 772 in 2017. An exact figure could not be provided for Wairarapa as this number can change on a day-to-day basis.
“We have the most resourced police force backed by a government determined to keep communities safe,” McAnulty said.
“In Wairarapa we’ve benefited from the extra cops, with a police presence re-established in South Wairarapa and the establishment of a team specifically focused on organised crime.
“We have an incredible team in our local Police and we are determined to back them.”
NZ police acting area commander for Wairarapa was approached but was unable to comment by deadline.
