Mozart helping to rid Christchurch mall of violence

WELLINGTON - Mozart is helping to bring down petty crime and anti-social behaviour in a mall in Christchurch it has emerged.

Mall managers have revealed that the idea to introduce speakers playing classical music in City Mall in June 2009 has led to a steep fall in crime.

The number of anti-social incidents attended by city centre security guards, known as ambassadors, fell from 77 a week in October 2008 to two for the same week this year.

The number of drug and alcohol-related incidents fell from 16 in 2008 to zero this year.

The number of times the ambassadors helped shopkeepers with troublesome customers has fallen from 35 to nothing.

Originally, Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale intended to play easy listening music like Barry Manilow, but found classical music more calming.

“The classical music is soothing on the ear. We try not to play anything with a beat because that is more noticeable. Classical music is known for reducing anti-social behaviour,” Stuff.co.nz quoted him as saying.

“It is much more pleasant now. People sit in that area now because they feel safer,” he stated.

Senior Sergeant Gordon Spite, officer in charge of the city centre police beat section, said the music has helped transform the mall.

“The music has certainly had an effect during the day. It has created an environment that is conducive to good behaviour,” he said.

“The music has had quite a calming affect on things. A more diverse group of people use it now than before,” he added. (ANI)