After nearly a year in office, New Zealanders are witnessing significant changes in law and order, with promising early results evident in police statistics, according to Police Hon Minister Mark Mitchell.
In August 2023,Hon Minister Mitchell made a commitment to the nation: if there wasn’t a noticeable improvement in public safety within a year of his appointment, he would resign. He believes that ministers should hold themselves accountable and deliver in the best interests of the public. Setting a 12-month timeframe was crucial for him to demonstrate his dedication to making New Zealand the safest country in the world and his willingness to work tirelessly to achieve that goal.
By December, he had outlined clear expectations for the police force. These included a return to fundamental policing methods, preventing gangs from taking over towns, public roads, or spaces, and safeguarding the rights of law-abiding citizens. He emphasized that everyone deserves to feel safe on their streets, in their homes, and at their workplaces.
Minister Mitchell expressed satisfaction with the early results seen this year. A 3 percent reduction in victimizations across the board indicates that things are moving in the right direction. Foot patrols have increased by 30 percent, ram raids have decreased by over 60 percent, serious assaults have dropped by 3 percent, and aggravated robberies are down 11 percent.
These developments suggest that the strategies implemented are beginning to have a positive impact, reinforcing the government’s commitment to enhancing public safety and ensuring that citizens feel secure in their daily lives.