“We are seeing promising signs and the Police using its powers”
Venkat Raman
Auckland, November 4, 2024
Police Minister Mark Mitchell has said the government is taking some measures to bring law and order under control, including tougher laws that bring offending youth into the legal system, more stringent action against gangs, and increased police powers to enforce the law.
During an exclusive interview at the Indian Newslink offices on November 1, 2024, Mr Mitchell (who is also the Corrections Minister) assured New Zealanders in general and Indian businesses in particular that the current Coalition Government has taken steps to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure its dispensation quickly and effectively.
He said that there are signs that retail crime is declining but agreed that the Indian retail industry which has borne the brunt of violent attacks in recent years, needs to feel safer.
Violent Retail Crime
On September 15, 2024, Mr Mitchell joined Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in announcing a 22% reduction in serious assaults within the Auckland Central Business District between January 1 and July 31, 2024. A Police report also showed an 18% reduction in serious assaults resulting in injury during the same period.
“A coordinated approach is working to make Auckland a safe city and one we can be proud to showcase as a gateway to New Zealand for overseas visitors,” Mr Mitchell had said.
But former Police Minister and Labour Party’s Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen told Indian Newslink that those figures were deceptive and that the Police had just shifted more frontline officers to the Auckland CBD while other areas suffered. Please read that story here.
From our Archives
Former Police Minister slams the Ministerial Advisory Group as ineffective
Police say retail crime declines amidst public scepticism
Action Plan on crime disappoints the Indian Community
Labour’s soft approach to crime has undermined our justice system
On June 23, 2024, Papatoetoe (South Auckland) based Pooja Jewellers owner Gurpreet Singh was attacked during a brutal armed robbery. He underwent emergency surgery after being hit on the head with a hammer.
Sona Sansaar Owner Harish Lodhia has also faced several ‘invasions’ in his jewellery shop located within Tulja Centre on Stoddard Road in Mt Roskill.
According to Mr Mitchell, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is working on changes to the Sentencing Act, which will include reducing or capping discounts to award longer sentences to serious offenders.
“While we have set targets, I want to see a reduction of violent and serious retail crime, reducing gang-related harm and other offences,” he said.
The Letter of Expectation
Mr Mitchell said that law and order had become a serious challenge over the past few years and that he had made it clear in his Letter of Expectation issued to the Police Commissioner soon after taking oath as the Police Minister on November 27, 2023.
In that letter, the Minister had said that he had been open about the fact he did not agree with the direction that Policing had taken under the previous government.
“I expect the Police Commissioner to focus on core policing with a back-to-basics approach. I want people to feel safe on their streets, in their homes, and in their workplaces. Gangs have become more violent and more present in our communities, intimidating the public and taking over public roads and spaces. This needs to stop. I expect that the Police will use the powers provided to them in legislation to ensure that gangs will not take over towns, public roads, or spaces. Law-abiding members of the public are entitled to have their rights to safety and freedoms protected. We will support Police through new legislation to disrupt and stop this harmful gang activity,” he said in his Letter of Expectation.
Almost a year after he took office, Mr Mitchell said that he has reason to believe that much has changed, although admitting that much more needs to be done.
“We are seeing some promising signs with the Police becoming more proactive in dealing with the law and order situation, and their approach to gangs. The Police are now using the resources they have including the use of the Eagle Helicopter. Members of gangs and young offenders including boy racers now understand that they are not above the law. We are introducing legislative changes to bring the gangs under control,” he said.
Action against Gangs
According to him, these changes, including banning gang patches in public and the rules to control boy racers are expected to become effective during this month (November).
Among the measures being considered to address youth crime is to work with Oranga Tamariki (Ministry of Justice), strengthening the sentencing of young offenders and the young military-style academies, he said.
The government has announced a range of initiatives to address serious, persistent youth offending. These include plans to introduce a new Young Serious Offender (YSO) Declaration and Military-Style Academies.
“There is a small group that commits a significant proportion of the total offences by young people. For those who continue to offend, despite the efforts of those around them, current responses are not sufficient. The new initiatives aim to address criminal activity, while also supporting offenders in their rehabilitation,” a government communique said.
Mr Mitchell agreed that gang-related crime is a serious challenge to the Police, the government and all law-enforcement agencies.
“We have highly sophisticated and globally connected gangs who have no respect for frontline Police Officers and no concern for the communities in which they live. We have started implementing the promises that we made during an election campaign last year. The gangs are now being policed. It is my firm belief that law-abiding Kiwis have the rights protected and they are the right to safety,” he said.
Improving the Sentencing Regime
Mr Mitchell said that New Zealand can be proud of its ‘world-class Correction Service with incredible people, with excellent correction facilities.’ However, the focus is on using the facilities properly and using the powers to reduce offending.
He said that with the increase in Police staff, there will be increased Police visibility around the country, especially in sensitive areas.
“But the Police cannot do everything. We will succeed with the partnership of our communities. All of us want to live in a society in which people feel safe in their homes, workplaces and while walking on the street. That is the fundamental right of every New Zealand and we are determined to protect those rights,” Mr Mitchell said.
Mr Mitchell and Mr Luxon have said that retail crime is dropping and that the government is introducing fresh legislation to tighten the laws to deter offenders and gangs from being a menace. Given these positive moves, there is little reason to retain the Ministerial Advisory Group on Retail Crime set up five months ago with an annual budget of $1.8 billion, running until the end of 2026 and possibly extending up to the end of 2029.
