1 Oct 2008

Family violence 'scourge of NZ society'

10:13 pm on 1 October 2008

The Government says the latest crime statistics show family violence continues to be a scourge of New Zealand society.

Latest police figures show violent offences rose 11.1% in the year to the end of June, with a 29% increase in the category of family violence.

Police Minister Annette King says the figures do not truly reflect the prevalence of family violence, which says says could be more than what the police statistics indicate.

"It's bad news that we do have a high level of family violence in our homes - but it's good news that it's being reported, because at least we will start to be honest about what its a big social problem," she says.

Ms King says the amount of reporting of family violence has more than doubled in the past decade.

Assistant Police Commissioner Grant Nicholls says almost 10,000 more offences were resolved in the past year compared with the previous year.

However, 107 more offences were recorded in the past year at 426,691, compared with 426,584 the previous year.

The National Party says violent crime has continued to worsen under the Labour-led Government.

Leader John Key say violent crime has jumped by 47% since Labour came to power and the latest statistics show the Government is failing to get on top of the issue.