The coalition Government is establishing a Ministerial Advisory Group for the victims of retail crime, as part of its plan to restore law and order, writes Nicholas Dynon.
“New Zealand has seen an exponential growth in retail crime over the past five years, with an 86 percent increase in retail crime of all types and, very concerningly, a 72 percent increase in sexual assault-related offences at retail locations,” Justice Minister Mr Goldsmith stated in a 11 July media release.
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“Around 230,000 New Zealanders work in the retail sector, with increasing numbers experiencing the personal and economic impacts of violent and theft-related crimes,” he said.
“The new Ministerial Advisory Group will engage directly with victims, workers, business owners, retail experts and advocacy groups over the next two years to provide the Government specific proposals to address urgent challenges in retail crime.”
“We are running a targeted expression-of-interest process to ensure the group has the right combination of skills and experience to make it highly effective,” Mrs McKee says.
Sunny Kaushal, Chair of the Dairy & Business Owners Group and President of the Crime Prevention Group, has been appointed Chair of the proposed Group.
“This group will help ensure there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029 and reduce serious youth offending by 15 percent, said Minister Goldsmith.
“I look forward to the insights the advisory group will bring and trust they will provide evidence-backed suggestions and recommendations to support victims and stop offenders.”
Commenting on general crime rates, Minister Goldsmith stated that the latest data is “shameful”.
“The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey data is shameful, with New Zealanders experiencing 1.88 million incidents of crime between November 2022 and October 2023,” he said.
“There were 185,000 New Zealanders who experienced 449,000 incidents of violent crime, including physical and sexual assault, and robbery.
“Sadly, the survey found more New Zealanders felt unsafe than the year prior, even if they weren’t a victim of a crime.
The government has set two targets in the hope of making a dent in the figures: 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029, alongside serious repeat youth offending to drop by 15 percent.
Measures include a sentencing reform package to ensure criminals face serious consequences for crime and the needs of victims are prioritised.
“We’re also backing police to go after criminal gangs, restoring Three Strikes legislation, getting more officers on the beat, establishing military-style academies and a new Youth Serious Offender category, and speeding up court processes,” he said.
