Crime Prevention Unit

Graffiti Vandalism - STOP Strategy

Graffiti vandalism is the intentional unlawful defacing of property with writing, markings or graphics. Tagging, a form of graffiti vandalism, is the writing of a stylised signature on a wall or other property and is the most common form of graffiti vandalism in New Zealand.

On 15 February 2008 the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, announced the development of the STOP (Stop Tagging Our Place) strategy to target graffiti vandalism in New Zealand.

Introduction to the Crime Prevention Unit

History of the Crime Prevention Unit

The Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) is part of the Ministry of Justice’s Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Group. We have two distinct roles:

We are the primary advisers to government on crime reduction policy and practice

We promote, support and fund best-practice community based crime reduction initiatives.

Our Goal

To work in partnership to reduce crime and create safer communities.

We aim to achieve this goal by:

Working collectively with government and non-government agencies to develop solutions that achieve real and measurable outcomes

Promoting the accurate identification of local crime problems and community safety priorities

Supporting evidence based crime reduction activity

NEWSFLASH - EMAIL HOAX

An email is in circulation which incorrectly advises that if you reverse your ATM PIN number this will alert police that the user is removing money under duress or threat by another person. The email indicates either at the top of the message or in a signature line that it is sent from the Ministry of Justice Crime Prevention Unit. This email is a hoax and if you have received it, the Crime Prevention Unit would ask that you reply to all stating this is a hoax and asking them not to circulate it further.

For further information concerning this urban myth see: http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/pinalert.asp.