Gaslighting the public on crime isn’t working

The Herald reports:

A poll conducted for the Herald by Dynata from May 25-29 asked 1000 respondents if they were more or less concerned about being the victim of a crime today than five years ago.

Sixty-seven per cent were more concerned, 28 per cent felt about the same and 5 per cent were less concerned. Concern in Auckland was higher than the national average.

Police data shows the number of victimisations has increased from 240,000 in 2017 to 353,000 last year and so far in 2023 looking to hit 380,000. The more useful stat is violent offending which went from 45,000 in 2017 to 71,000 last year and in 2023 is on track for around 77,000.

Survey respondents were asked which single measure, from a list of seven, was most important to improving their safety. The options included punitive measures – such as harsher prison sentences – as well as increasing wellbeing support services.

The most common answers were harsher prison sentences (34 per cent) and more police (27 per cent).

Labour and Greens recently changed the law so that repeat serious violent and sexual offenders would get shorter sentences and parole eligiblity.

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