Central Blenheim violent crime rate four times national averageFAIRFAX NZ The rate of violent crime in central Blenheim last year was more than four times the national average per capita. The town centres of Greymouth, Gore and Invercargill also had a violent crime rate more than four times the national average per capita last year. The rate of violent crime in small towns can rival that of city centres as young "hoons" try to "prove themselves", a crime expert says. Between 60 to 75 per cent of callouts to violent crime in Blenheim last year were resolved in court, Lewis said. There were also fewer police patrolling in rural areas to deal with violent crime as they came across it, Newbold said.

Source: Stuff June 23, 2016 06:47 UTC