Western Bay of Plenty Police are concerned with the rise in homicide and related offences (200 per cent), an increase from one offence in 2012/2013 to three offences in 2013/2014.

Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton says whilst the numbers are relatively small, the absolute impact of loss of life on whanau and communities is tragic.

The Bay of Plenty saw a reduction in recorded crime in the year ending June 30.

'Any loss of life in these circumstances is of grave concern for police," says Clifford.

Figures released from Statistics New Zealand yesterday show while there was a rise in homicide and related offences, overall crime in the region saw a 10.9 per cent reduction in the 2013/2014 financial year.

This was a drop in offences from 12,061 in 2012/2013 to 10,748 in 2013/2014.

Clifford says most pleasing to see is the reduction in dishonesty with burglary reducing by 26.4 per cent and theft 10.8 per cent.

He says dishonesty has traditionally been an area which is difficult to shift, with small groups of motivated offenders responsible for significant amounts of crime.

Similarly the 22 per cent reduction in robbery, extortion and related offences from 2012/2013 to 2013/2014 is pleasing to see, says Clifford, 'as this type of offending often goes to the heart of public safety and the feelings of safety within our community”.

'A 17.4 per cent reduction in property damage was also positive given the large investment by partners and police in this area.

'Property damage in the form of graffiti will often lead to further crimes and increase the fear of crime if left unchecked.”

Another area of concern for police was an increase in public order offences (15.4 per cent).

'Whilst it's always difficult to definitively point to a singular cause, what we do know is the visibility of our members within the community has increased exponentially and often these types of offences are instances members will come upon rather than be directed to.

'It's likely that through that increased visibility more public order offences are being identified.”

Clifford says there has been a lot of good work done within the Western Bay of Plenty; by police members, local communities and partners.

'We would urge our communities to continue to work collaboratively together to make the Western Bay of Plenty a safer place.”