Mozart deters crims

Since 29, in a downtown Christchurch mall, music by Mozart and other classical composers has been played over speakers to deter would-be criminals. The music has led to a steep fall in petty crime, the mall’s managers say. Figures reveal the number of anti-social incidents attended by security guards came down from 77 a week in October 28 to only two per week in October this year and the number of drug and alcohol-related incidents fell from 16 to zero. The number of times the guards helped shopkeepers deal with troublesome customers also fell from 35 to zero. “The music has certainly had an effect during the day. It has created an environment that is conducive to good behaviour,” a senior police officer said.