Paul Goldsmith: Justice Minister talks government's troubles reducing violent crime

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Justice Minister says he expects rising crime statistics may not reflect what's happening now.

The Government's set a goal of 20-thousand fewer victims of crime by 2030, but says recent crime data shows the scale of the challenge ahead.

A recent survey shows an increase in people's experience of crime over the past two years, but Paul Goldsmith told Heather du Plessis Allan this means there is a lag.

He says he thinks the numbers reflect a peak last year, and should now be starting to turn down.

Plus, the government has announced reforms going before Parliament this week include capping sentence discounts at 40 percent and scrapping repeat discounts for youth or remorse.

New aggravating factors are also being introduced, to include adults exploiting children by aiding or abetting their offending - and for posting criminal activity online.

Paul Goldsmith says the last two ideas came from the previous Government.

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