Public will have access to NZ Police online crime data

The New Zealand public will soon be able to access police crime data, with the NZ Police set to launch a new online crime data reporting tool.

Deputy chief executive for Strategy, Mark Evans, says until now, the Police has not had an effective tool that allowed the organisation to report recorded crime data in an easily accessible format online.

"But as of 30 November, we are launching a new, interactive tool that will provide the public with access to a range of easily accessible information about victims, offenders and crime trends," says Evans.

"This will make it easier for people to access, analyse and understand data that Police holds about crime," he says.

Up until the launch of the new tool, the data has been available through the Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) website, but will now be migrated across to the Police website, where it will be available from the end of the month.

Statistics New Zealand's Natalie Keyes says the organisation has been working with Police since early last year to help develop the new reporting tool and ensure a smooth transition.

"We are supporting Police as they launch this new interactive tool," Kayes says.

"The data on the Police website is the same as that previously available via Statistics NZ, but with some additional features, which will provide more information about where and when crimes are occurring," she explains.

Kayes says this data will help inform decision-makers and other stakeholders.

"Statistics NZ will also continue to work with Police, as it does with all government agencies who publish official statistics, to provide oversight and advice regarding the statistics they produce," she says.

Evans says the policedata.nz tool will provide information series of standardised, user-friendly interactive reports.

However, a new feature will be the presentation of Tier 1 statistics from Recorded Crime Victims Statistics (RCVS) and Recorded Crime Offenders Statistics (RCOS).

"Tier 1 statistics represent the subset of official statistics that have been identified as New Zealand's most important statistics, essential to help the government, business and members of the public to make informed decisions and monitor the state and progress of New Zealand," Evans explains.

Police has also consulted with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner before finalising its reports.

"Police remains committed to ensuring the transparency, accuracy, reliability and authenticity of all of its data, and takes that responsibility very seriously," says Evans.

"That is why Police statistical information continues to be routinely independently audited and overseen as appropriate," he says.

"This new tool is an exciting step as it provides victimisation, offender and crime trend data in an easily accessible format, which will be useful for researchers, government agencies, media and other interested groups and individuals," adds Evans.