Ohakune crime figures climb

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 649, 13 August 1996, Page 1

Ohakune crime figures climb

Ohakune is the worst town for crime in the Waimarino and the rate of crime is increasing. Total crimes reported in 1995 were 628, up from 426 in 1 994. Meanwhile Raetihi offences increased from 252 to 301 while Waiouru' s decreased from 164 to 152. That's according to the Waimarino Community Safety Profile. The profile, presented to the W aimarino Community Board at their last meeting, is a document prepared by Taumarunui Safer Community Council co-ordinator Patricia McOnie with help from Keryn Martin. The profile was prepared along with a draft

strategic action plan to reduce crime and its effects. Police success rate is improving, according to the statistics, with Ohakune' s clearance rate up from 27% in 1994 to 40% in 1995, Raetihi' s staying the same and Waiouru's up from 61% to 68%. Offenders are mostly male, with 88% of cleared crimes being committed by males. Age breakdown of offenders show that 20% were under 16, 35% were between 17 and 20 and 30% were between 21 and 30. There was a relatively even distribution between those classifying themselves as Maori and Caucasian, but the report writer said the method of recording this type of data was

unsatisfactory. Burglaries in the Waimarino are most likely to occur at night, on a Sunday and involve property worth less than $5000. Sample statistics for burglaries are too small to identify. clear patterns, but they show that Monday appears to be the "safest" day of the week and Tuesday the least safe. Less than 1 5% of burglaries are carried out at night and less than 5% involve amounts over $5000 (day or night-time burglaries). The report states that it appears more crime is committed in winter, especially in dishonest offending, and that the high rate of burglary is

possibly due to the abundance of unoccupied ski chalets. In 1995 compared to 1994, violent crime increased in Ohakune and Waiouru but decreased in Raetihi. The increases were part of a national trend "especially in the area of reported domestic violence". There were 50 cases reported in Ohakune compared to the previous year's 44 and male assaults female offences doubled from 10 to 20. Most were in dwellings as opposed to public places. In Waiouru 29 offences were reported, up five from 1994. Male assaults female offences doubled to 14 in Waiouru. Two indecent assaults were reported in Ohakune in 1995, down from six in 1994. Raetihi reported three and Waiouru two. Cannabis possession and use accounted for most of the 150% (85) increase in the "drugs and anti•social" crime category in Ohakune. No serious drug offences were reported. Raetihi reported 34 drug offences, with cannabis the largest category. In Waiouru, 29 offences were reported which was the same as for 1 994. Cannabis offences accounted for 66% of this category. Overall, dishonesty offences decreased 22% in Waiouru to 65. In Raetihi burglaries increased from 63 to 80, with the total dishonesty offences at 191. Only 17% of these offences were cleared, including 15 of the burglaries. Ohakune suffered the most dishonesty offences at 390, including 109 burglaries (up from 66 in 1994), 21 unlawfully taken cars and 130 general thefts. There were about 60 fraud cases reported.