Wellington: Despite witnessing a bit rise in some districts of the country, the crime rate dropped to its lowest level in 29 years in New Zealand last year, latest official statistics have revealed.
There were 15,602 fewer crimes recorded in 2013 than in the previous year, a 4.1 percent drop, TVnz quoted new statistics New Zealand figures as showing. And as the population has increased by 0.9 percent in that time, the drop per capita was 5 percent
Nine of the 12 police districts in the country saw drops in crime, including Auckland and Wellington, which both recorded 9.9 percent reductions on 2012. But the Eastern, Central and Northland crime rates all increased by between 1.5 and 3.4 percent.
Also increasing is the number of sexual assault offences reported across the country, which last year was up 11.6 percent on 2012.
According to deputy Commissioner Mike Bush, this is most likely due to increased reporting of this type of crime.