What’s in it for you and yours?
As many as 14,000 repeat burglary victims will get government support to install extra security at their properties.
The Government is also trumpeting a prevention strategy targeting young burglars – the Government says under-25s are overwhelmingly the culprits who must be helped early to prevent a lifetime of crime.
Burglaries have one of the lowest resolution rates of all offences that police investigate. Between January 1 and June 30, 2016, there were 36,133 burglaries reported – just over 8.9 per cent were solved.
The Budget throws an extra $32.9 million at the problem over four years. The funding comes from the Government’s $321m social investment package.
The main focus of the initiative is on reducing the motivation to commit burglary and increasing the availability of re-integration services to better transition offenders from prison back into the community.
The initiative will also provide support to reduce the risk of a burglary victim being repeatedly targeted, by installing additional security such as window locks, security lights or bolt locks.
The Budget also unveiled the Government’s plans to focus on young offenders who commit burglaries.
Its spending is aimed at trying to reduce the motivation for youths to re-offend – using $13.9m over four years to provide professional youth mentoring and therapy.
The Police Association has welcomed the Government’s spending on law and order.
Police union president Chris Cahill said a $338m increase in police funding would ease the pressured Northern, Waikato, and Eastern districts.