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Official crime statistics for August 2016 released by Statistics New Zealand today, show that Police recorded 12,529 more victimisations in the twelve months ending August 2016 than in the same period last year, which equates to a 4.8 per cent increase.

Burglaries continue to be the single largest driving factor behind the increased crime victimisations with 9,559 more victimisations recorded than for the same time last year.

Police Minister Judith Collins has paid tribute to Police who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Police Remembrance Day will be held  today at the Royal New Zealand Police College with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor-General of New Zealand, and Police Commissioner Mike Bush in attendance.

Minister of Police and Corrections Judith Collins has congratulated Senior Constable Blair Spalding and his dog Rush on winning the National Police Patrol Dog Championship.

“The competition was stiff but Blair and Rush have taken the Frank Riley Cup as National Patrol Dog champions and I offer them my most heartfelt congratulations,” says Minister Collins.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins today officially opened the upgraded Masterton Community Corrections site in Albert Street, Masterton.

The upgrade of the Masterton site is part of a five-year nation-wide renewal programme to make Community Corrections’ more secure for both staff and offenders.

The enhancements to the Masterton site include improved security features such as, closed circuit TV monitoring, a main door which locks remotely, glazed interview rooms, duress alarms and swipe card access to staff-only areas.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the passing of an electronic monitoring bill which is designed to further protect and improve the safety of victims and the public.

The Electronic Monitoring of Offenders Legislation Bill has had its third and final reading in Parliament.

The Bill amends the Corrections Act 2004, the Sentencing Act 2002, and the Parole Act 2002 to:

Police Minister Judith Collins today congratulated 40 new Police officers in the Sir Edward (Eddie) Durrie recruit Wing 299.

Ms Collins joined family and friends to celebrate the attestation parade of Wing 299 at the Royal New Zealand Police College at Porirua.

Diversity is clear in this Wing with members from South Korea, Kuwait, Scotland, Tonga, Chile and even Lesotho.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has congratulated 68 Corrections Officers and Offender Employment Instructors who graduated today.

“We have people of all ages, stages of life, nationalities and cultures in this group. Whether you are just starting your working life, or bringing valuable life skills and cultural awareness to your new profession, each of these recruits will play an essential role in changing lives and shaping the futures of prisoners.

Thank-you for this opportunity to address this year’s annual conference for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Professionals.

This is a really important area of work not just for law enforcement and the wider financial sector but also for the community, which we all want to keep safe from this type of crime and the crime it can be used to finance.

So it’s great to see you all getting together to talk about how we can be even better at detecting that offending and preventing further harm.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins today acknowledged the work of 17 staff who have undertaken an overseas deployment in the last decade to assist and strengthen the corrections services of islands in the Pacific.

Over the last ten years Corrections has sent delegations to three Pacific Islands: Vanuatu, Samoa and Pitcairn. At a celebration at Corrections National Office today, Ms Collins recognised the efforts of the first batch of recipients with the presentation of a Pacific Pin, known as the Hoe Akau.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins says offenders throughout the country can take satisfaction from the part they’ve played in conserving New Zealand’s natural beauty and helping their community.

This week is Conservation Week (September 10-18) and is a chance to reflect on the good work created by a partnership between Corrections and the Department of Conservation, signed in November last year.  

“The Good to Grow collaboration has been an outstanding success for both departments,” says Ms Collins.

Official crime statistics for July 2016 released today by Statistics New Zealand today, show that Police recorded 11,171 more victimisations than the same period last year, which equates to a 2.3 per cent increase.

More than three quarters of this increase can be attributed to burglaries.  The national burglary rate in the 12-month period increased by 11.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. 

Auckland City was the only police district to record a reduction in its burglary rate (10 per cent).  

Police Minister Judith Collins welcomes Police’s decision to attend all house break-ins, which comes into effect today.

While burglary rates are still below that of recent years, there has been an increase over the past 12 months. Police has responded by raising dwelling burglary from a volume crime to a priority offence.

“This shows Police are serious about tackling burglary and also sends a clear message to offenders.”

Corrections has introduced changes to better support women prisoners at risk of family violence when they leave prison, says Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

Most women prisoners are, or have been, victims of family violence, which may be intergenerational and an entrenched part of their lives.

Corrections aims to identify women at risk of family violence early in their prison sentences so safety planning and appropriate support can be organised.

Police Minister Judith Collins has today congratulated New Zealand Police for their success in winning the Diversity Works New Zealand 2016 Empowerment Award, and the overall Supreme Award last night.

These awards recognize the work by New Zealand Police to improve gender balance in its workforce in the areas of recruitment, retention and progression of women in the organisation. 

“This year Police has marked the 75th anniversary of women in the organisation and I have been very proud to participate in these celebrations. 

The Request for Proposals process is now underway for the provision of improved mental health services to offenders, says Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

This follows the allocation of $14 million from the Justice Sector Fund in June 2016 for Corrections to purchase mental health services for offenders in prison and in the community over the next two years.

Around 240 people have dined on meals prepared and served by prisoners at Rimutaka Prison as part of the Prison Gate to Plate dining experience, says Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

This is the fourth year the prison has taken part in Visa Wellington on a Plate and the tickets to the 2016 event sold out in three minutes.

Under the guidance of celebrated chef Martin Bosley, guest chefs Chetan Pangam and Amy Gillies, and catering instructors, the prisoners have been taught to prepare and present gourmet courses to the public.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has this evening presented the New Zealand Howard League for Penal Reform with Corrections’ 2016 Partnership Award.

The Howard League has been supporting prisoners for more than 90 years and this award recognises the ongoing success of the League’s literacy and driver licensing programmes.

“Corrections and the Howard League work closely and effectively together,” says Ms Collins.

The Ministers of Police, Customs, and Internal Affairs have congratulated their departments for their efforts in fighting online child sexual abuse.

The Ministers say identification and rescue of victims, both within New Zealand and internationally, will continue to be a priority of their departments’ work. Police, Customs and Internal Affairs recently worked together to create a national database of images to assist in the assessment of child abuse material and victim identification. 

New Zealand First is misleading the public through its incorrect use of raw data which are not official statistics, Police Minister Judith Collins says.

“New Zealand First has used data from Police Communications Centres to paint a picture about crime trends that is incorrect.

“The data New Zealand First are using only represents calls for service to Police Communications Centres.

Ministers today confirmed Waikato would be the second site for the Integrated Safety Response pilot.

The pilot, also being run in Christchurch, brings together different agencies involved in family violence to support victims and their families in a daily safety assessment approach.

New Zealand was the first country in the world to introduce probation with the passing of the First Offenders’ Probation Act 130 years ago today, on 9 August 1886, Corrections Minister, Judith Collins says.

The Act allowed Courts to impose non-custodial sentences for first- time offenders and it established the roles and responsibilities of probation officers, setting out the duties and powers that still apply today.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has congratulated 24 new Corrections Officers and Offender Employment Instructors who graduated today.

The new recruits will be based at prisons across the country including Auckland Prison, Mt Eden Corrections Facility, Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, Spring Hill Corrections Facility, Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison, Whanganui Prison, Arohata Prison, Rimutaka Prison and Christchurch Men’s Prison.

Police Minister Judith Collins congratulates the 60 new Police officers who will graduate as Constables today.

“Today marks the start of a challenging and rewarding new career. Every day you will go to work with the knowledge that you are making New Zealand a better and safer place.”

Ms Collins said it’s great to see a number of new graduates with diverse backgrounds which will give them an advantage in their new role as a Constable.

Police Minister Judith Collins has congratulated the 11 people, five of them police officers, who were named as recipients of New Zealand Bravery Awards today for putting their lives at immediate risk to save or attempt to save others.

Three New Zealand Bravery Decorations have been awarded for acts of exceptional bravery, and eight New Zealand Bravery Medals awarded for acts of bravery.

“These brave New Zealanders put themselves at risk without hesitation to save or help save the lives of others,” Ms Collins said.