The Police Minister is rejecting claims the last Government can be thanked for reduced victim numbers.

The Government claims there are 28,000 fewer victims of violent crimes since the last election - exceeding its goal of 20,000.

It admits the numbers are from a survey spanning 24 months - including the last months of the Labour's rule. 

But Minister Mark Mitchell says Labour only made it worse.

"We've definitely seen the numbers - and the police numbers starting to reduce. We've got a very different approach around public safety, we're putting victims first and I think we're staring to see the results of that."

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