6. Question No. 6—PoliceHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 6—Police6. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement It is my view that New Zealanders feel safer"; if so why?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Minister of Police): E te Māngai o te Whare for what I believe is the 16th time I stand by my full statement at the time it was given; it is my view that New Zealanders feel safer with the Government on track to deliver 1800 extra police. I also stand by my recent comments that it was great to meet in person with Countdown to talk about how we can work together to reduce unacceptable levels of retail crime. I share that member's concerns about the increase Countdown has seen in stolen goods physical assaults thefts and security incidents. However rather than just talking about being tough this Government is resourcing police to work with organisations like Countdown to get on top of this problem.Hon Mark Mitchell: Well does she include Countdown employees in those that should feel safer?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: I met with Countdown in just the last week and when I met with Countdown they were also accompanied by the new retail crime support unit which has been advising them and they have taken into account those security measures. I will also meet tomorrow with police and representatives from 40 retail organisations including Farmers Mitre 10 Michael Hill Jewellers Pascoes Aura Kmart Glassons and Retail New Zealand. I agree that there is an unacceptable level of retail crime in New Zealand and we are taking action to get on top of the problem.Hon Mark Mitchell: Do the 234 Countdown workers that have been assaulted so far this year feel safer now that she has met with them?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: This Government has taken action to support retailers with a new retail crime prevention unit and also to support those retailers with additional security features. The actions this Government is delivering to reduce retail crime is far superior to what those policies are which is solely to introduce boot camps which was proven by their own appointed science adviser not to work.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does she think Kiwis feel safer when dairy workers are having to confront armed youth offenders risking their lives to defend themselves and their businesses?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: Absolutely not and that is why this Government has taken action to introduce a new offence a ram raid offence introduced into this House this week. We have also seen record numbers of security installations right across the country. We are working closely with those retail owners so that they are supported and so offenders are brought to account.Hon Mark Mitchell: Given her single focus on community safety are communities safer now than when she became police Minister?Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: There's always more work to do and this Government is focused on delivering those results. I think those results of giving retailers clear support of improving front-line resources with 1800 extra police and enabling those retailers to have access to good quality intelligence and advice from police is far superior to the actions that member is suggesting which is simply to introduce boot camps for youth offenders."