Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes says while the latest crime statistics show an increase in violent offences in the resort, he believes the actual numbers should allay fears about safety in the town.
Figures released by police on Wednesday for the year ending June showed violent crime in Queenstown had risen from 193 recorded offences to 245, a 26.9% increase.
Overall, crime figures showed a drop of 12%, from 2133 to 1877 offences.
The biggest increase came in minor assaults - considered to be "low-level pushing and shoving" - which went from 63 to 93, while serious assaults - more sustained attacks, resulting in physical injuries - increased from 66 to 86.
Earlier this year, Queenstown's 24-hour liquor licensing culture was blamed for much of the increase, with former area commander Inspector Phil Jones saying Queenstown was a "national leader" in violent crime statistics.
But Mr Geddes said yesterday while the latest figures were "obviously a concern", the numbers behind the percentages allayed some fear about the state of the resort.
"If you look at the actual number of events, they are not as concerning as the number of events in other communities in New Zealand."
Otago Rural Acting Area Commander Inspector Dave Miller, based in Dunedin, said despite recent media reports, the overall picture of violence and crime was "not all bad".
"I realise the importance of keeping Queenstown's reputation as being a good place to come, stay and return home safely."
While it was heartening to see decreases across most categories of the recorded offences, increases in serious and minor assaults, sexual attacks - which increased from three to 13, destruction of property (up from 203 to 259) and Arms Act offences (from 9 to 16), were still a cause for concern, Insp Miller said.
"It's something that we've got to manage all the time. It's also good that people are reporting these things . . . Queenstown has got some great programmes, working with the council and CARV; everyone seems to be on board."
Mr Geddes agreed being proactive was the way forward.
A liquor liaison forum had been established, which met every eight weeks and included representatives from the police, the council, the Liquor Licensing Authority, Project CARV, Public Health South and licensees.
Mr Geddes said the round-table discussion - which was often not a "happy family type of meeting" - was the opportunity to air any concerns over the use of the CBD between midnight and 9am and work towards a safer place for everyone to play and work in.
"What we are all concerned about is that it [the CBD] should be available as a safe place . . . and no-one is imposing costs [on the community] and reducing its amenity value."
While the Otago Rural statistics show a 32.7% increase of family violence-related offending, Queenstown statistics showed just one recorded "family offence" for 2007-08 and one "family offence continued" recorded.
