22 Jan 2012

8500 safety orders issued

5:40 am on 22 January 2012

On the spot police safety orders have been used 8500 times since they came into effect in July 2010.

The orders, which are issued when police officers believe that family violence has occurred or is likely to, force the person causing the problems, out of the family home for up to five days.

Women's Refuge says the orders stop a risky situation escalating, which helps the man as well because it stops him doing something he may later regret.

Counties Manukau had the most orders issued, almost 2000.

Bay of Plenty had the next highest with slightly more than 1000. The Tasman area had the least with 163.