Sharp Crime Rise Worries Police (Press, 7 March 1985)

On 7 March 1985, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ken Thompson, expressed significant concern over the rising rates of violent crime, sexual assaults, and drug offences in New Zealand, as reported in the crime statistics for 1984. The total number of violent crimes rose to 20,836, an increase of nearly 1,000 from the previous year. Reported sexual crimes also saw a rise, going from 2,987 in 1983 to 3,277 in 1984. Additionally, drug and anti-social offences, which included liquor-related offences, increased from 48,387 to 50,698. Notably, while homicide rates slightly decreased from 92 in 1983 to 83, there was a concerning rise in aggravated robberies, which climbed from 376 to 445. The report highlighted a rise in serious assaults on police, increasing from 60 to 85, as well as minor assaults, which surged from 1,390 to 1,560. There was also a significant increase in assaults on individuals assisting the police, from 15 to 103. Furthermore, the statistics showed an increase in rape reports, which rose from 321 to 375, and attempted rapes that increased from 92 to 96. Indecent assaults, excluding those relating to homosexual or lesbian activity, also saw an increase, rising from 680 to 956. In terms of drug-related offences, the statistics revealed a substantial rise in cannabis-related crimes, which grew from 10,539 to 12,540, while non-cannabis drug offences increased from 714 to 848. Mr. Thompson explained that drug offence statistics could be misleading as they often fluctuated, and did not necessarily reflect the complexity and resources involved in prosecuting major drug offenders. He acknowledged the effectiveness of New Zealand's Misuse of Drugs Act, which provided police with extensive powers, and credited the success of undercover operations for helping manage the issue. Despite these successes in controlling drug flow, Mr. Thompson noted that the increase in hard drug availability globally posed a challenge, leading to local ingenuity in the illegal drug manufacturing sector. He reported the discovery of 48 so-called "homebake" laboratories, indicating a worrying trend towards the domestic production of hard drugs. Overall, the crime statistics presented an alarming picture of rising violence and drug-related issues in New Zealand, prompting calls for increased focus and intervention by law enforcement to address these escalating concerns.

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