Key points
- Data shows the overall number of police foot patrols are up, so far, this year
- In a media release, Labour claimed the number of patrols were down under the coalition Government, comparing data between last December and June
- The Government has hit back, with Police Minister Mark Mitchell suggesting Labour’s figures were “nonsense” and cherry-picked.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell has accused his Labour counterpart of “cherry-picking” figures to claim officer foot patrols are down under his Government.
Labour’s police spokesperson, Ginny Andersen, cited data showing a 15% drop in nationwide foot patrols between December 2023 and June 2024.
In June, there were 5245 foot patrols compared to 6192 in December.
However, a 1News review of the data reveals that foot patrol numbers are actually on the rise overall, with a consistent seasonal spike in numbers every December.
Between December 2023 and June 2024, there were 36,802 foot patrols, as compared to 33,440 in the same period a year earlier — an increase of around 10%.
The data used has been sourced from the police data website.
When asked about the seasonal spike, Andersen said: “When you track it over that period of time there is an overall decline in foot patrols.”
She added: “We’ve seen a consistent decline, and there’s a concern particularly rural areas are seeing a decline”. The former police minister said she “didn’t agree” with the numbers presented by 1News, but acknowledged there was “sometimes” a peak.
Labour’s claims have been rubbished by the Government, with the Police Minister calling Andersen’s media release “nonsense”.
“They’re cherry-picking numbers,” Mitchell said.
“The public loves it. It gives them a sense of security, they’re building relationships with shopkeepers and retailers,” the minister said of the high-visibility patrols.
Despite the figures, Labour leader Chris Hipkins backed his police spokesperson.
“In his time as Minister, foot patrols have gone down.”
Hipkins added: “I don’t think criminals go and put their feet up for a cup of tea and a Milo, just because it’s winter.”