(Source: Photo by Ethan Dow on Unsplash)

We are starting to have very warm "spring like days" in Auckland, signaling that summer is just around the corner. Many of my friends are already talking about holiday plans.

However, we often see an increase in reporting of crime on the news and security concerns.

Does this mean crime rates actually rise during the summer, or is it just our intuition?

To explore this, we looked into the NZ Police data base again*.

 

Before We Begin

We examined 5 years of data, from July 2019 to June 2024, covering the period just before COVID-19 began. We focused on 2 key areas:

1.Victimisation Demographic: Who are the main targets of specific crime?

The Specific crime we talk about here are:
- Robbery (Robbery, Extortion, and Related Offences)
- Burglary (Unlawful Entry With Intent/Burglary, Break and Enter)

2.Seasonal Pattern: Do we see more crime during the summer?

The New Zealand Police classify victimisation locations by "Location Type."
For simplicity, we have grouped these into the following categories (*1):

• Residential (Residential Location)
• Commercial (Other Location)
• Public (Community Location)
• Others (all other locations)

In this blog, we dive into police data to uncover trends and offer security solutions for homeowners and businesses to safeguard their properties during the holiday season.

 

Do we have more crime during the summer in NZ?

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Content

1. Victimisation Demographic: Who Are the Targets?
   Learn about the primary targets for burglary and robbery, focusing on residential areas and the impact on homeowners.

2. Seasonal Crime Trends: Is Summer More Dangerous?
   We analyze police data to determine if there’s a noticeable increase in crime during the summer months.

3. Insights on Crime and Security:
   Understand the patterns of crime and the importance of implementing consistent security measures year-round, especially before the holiday season.

4. How DIY Xpanda Can Help You Stay Safe:
   Explore security products such as window bars, retractable gates, and premium security doors to ensure your property is protected during the summer holiday season.

5. Final Thoughts on Crime and Prevention:
   Learn how investing in solid security products can reduce the risks of burglary and increase peace of mind while you're away.

(Source: Photo by Ivan Sanford on Unsplash)

 

1. Victimisation Demographic: Who Are the Targets?

Here is a ranking of targets for this specific crime: 

1. Residential Locations: 231,079 (68%)
2. Commercial Locations: 79,581 (23%)
3. Public Locations: 22,166 (7%)
4. Other Locations: 5,694 (2%)

The vast majority of robbery and burglary appear to target residential areas. *5

The total specific crime victimisations is 338,520, which is 21 % of the overall victimisations: 1,627,068.

2. Seasonal Crime Trends: Is Summer More Dangerous?

In order to see the change in pattern, we compare the monthly average victimisation count in overall throughout the years and the summer time*3. 

Victimisation Count
Average	Overall Crime	Specific Crime	Specific Crime Percentage
2019/07-2024/06 Including Summer	27,118	5,642	21%
Summer Only	28,486	5,937	21%

 

In both Overall and Specific Crime categories, there was an increase in victimisation counts. Yet, the proportions of specific crime victimisation remain 21%. 

Is there an actual pattern?

In the chart here, the summer months are highlighted in yellow, and green-circling the non-summer months that specific crime count exceeded the summer monthly average.

The summer months often see higher victimisation counts in both overall and specific crime, though there are a few exceptions where other non-summer months surpass these average summer victimisation counts.

(Source: Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash)

 

3. Insights on Crime and Security:

Many burglaries seem to target residential locations, even though we often hear about store break-ins. The increase in crime during the summer is noticeable but not as significant as we guessed initially.

However!

This doesn’t mean there are fewer crime in the summer—it simply indicates that crime occur rather consistently throughout the year.

Consistent security measures are crucial all year round, especially if you're planning a trip and leaving your property unattended.

Good security measures require careful planning and consideration, not a last-minute rush before your trip.

 

 

4. How DIY Xpanda Can Help You Stay Safe:

Good security is all about preparation and deterrence. There are many ways you can reinforce the security of your home, business, or property while you’re away. No one wants to spend their holiday worrying about what’s happening back home.

Here are 4 main popular options to address your security concerns:

1. Window Bars for securing your windows.
2. Retractable Security Gates for large windows, window doors, and wide entrances for stores, garages, warehouses and homes.
3. Fixed Swing Gates for doors, storefronts, driveways, gates, entrances for offices, airbnbs or retail stores.
4. Xpanda Security for custom made premium security doors, bollard, gates, invisible/ transparent burglar bars, window bars and grilles. You can start with free assessment for consultation, design, manufacturing and installation.

Our DIY security products can be easily set up temporarily or permanently and removed once you return and feel more secure.

Burglars operate on tight timelines. They are likely to give up when they encounter additional layers of security.

Visual security products like these act as strong deterrents. If you already have an alarm system, these solid steel security products will further maximise your property’s protection.

Start exploring our DIY security options today, and keep an eye out for potential holiday discount campaigns as well.

 

(Source: Photo by Tyler Lastovich on Unsplash)

 

5. Before We Close Off: Final Thoughts on Crime and Prevention

We understand that statistics can seem distant when you’ve been directly impacted by crime. No number can truly encapsulate the fear, loss, and upheaval experienced by victims. Our aim in sharing this data is not to diminish these experiences but to shed light on broader trends. Every crime is a personal tragedy, and we at Xpanda Security and DIY Xpanda remain committed to working towards a safer New Zealand where everyone feels secure in their homes and communities. It's encouraging to see a decline in certain crime categories, but we recognize that there is still much work to be done.

 

Stay safe!

 

References:

*1. Victimisations Demographic
https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/statistics-and-publications/data-and-statistics/victimisations-police-stations

NZ Police Locations "Location Type" and "Location Type Description"

Location Type	Location Type Description
Community Location	Car Park
	Community Location N.E.C.
	Community Location N.F.D.
	Conveyance In Transit
	Educational
	Health
	Justice
	Open Space
	Public Place
	Religious
	Street/Footpath
	Terminal
Residential Location	Dwelling
	Residential Non-Dwelling
Other Location	Administrative/Professional
	Agricultural
	Agricultural Land
	Agricultural Outbuilding
	Banking
	Chemistry/Pharmacy
	Manufacturing
	Other Location N.E.C.
	Other Location N.F.D.
	Recreational
	Retail N.E.C.
	Retail N.F.D.
	Service Station
	Warehousing/Storage
Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Unspecified Location	Unspecified Location
Suppressed	Suppressed

 In this blog, we renamed the classifications above as:

• Residential (Residential Location)
• Commercial (Other Location)
• Public (Community Location)
• Others (rest of the list)

We also used their data for a different blog about crime rate changes in NZ:
https://diyxpanda.co.nz/blogs/news/crime

*2. Definition of Robbery:
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/DLM330250.html

*3.Seasonal Definition:
https://www.newzealand.com/nz/seasons-in-new-zealand/#:~:text=Summer%3A%20December%20%2D%20February,mouth%2Dwatering%20food%20and%20wine.

4. NZ Police Logo:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=678682547772982&set=a.244222197885688

 

5. Victimisation Breakdown by Locations:

• Residential Locations:
  • Robbery, Extortion, and Related Offences: 3,756
  • Unlawful Entry With Intent/Burglary, Break and Enter: 227,323
  • Total: 231,079 (68%)
• Commercial Locations:
  • Robbery, Extortion, and Related Offences: 8,891
  • Unlawful Entry With Intent/Burglary, Break and Enter: 70,690
  • Total: 79,581 (23%)
• Public Locations:
  • Robbery, Extortion, and Related Offences: 6,770
  • Unlawful Entry With Intent/Burglary, Break and Enter: 15,396
  • Total: 22,166 (7%)
• Other Locations:
  • Total: 5,694 (2%)