UPDATED 4.32PM Police are reminding people not to take the law into their own hands, despite calls to the contrary in the face of rising crime statistics.

The official crime statistics show more than 11,000 more people were victims of offending in the year to July, than the year before.

LISTEN ABOVE: Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar speaks with Larry Williams

Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar said while police need more resources, victims ought to be prepared to fight back themselves.

"If Government aren't prepared to step up and ensure that public protection is paramount, then ultimately the community is going to have to. So you know baseball bats, that type of thing. You need to be prepared for the worst."

SEE ALSO: Burglaries behind rise in crime stats

McVicar said it was now patently obvious that the PC, offender friendly attitude to offenders was a dismal failure and the danger to the public was unacceptable.

"Our communities are experiencing an increasing level of burglary and violence and those paid to protect us are failing us dismally."

"I think the Police do a great job but the Government has failed us through weak legislation; the Judges are failing us through pathetic sentences that fail to deter offenders or hold them to account."

McVicar said New Zealand needs a counter-culture movement to oppose the present criminal centred, offender friendly system that has evolved over recent years.

But a police spokesperson says while it's important the public feels safe, they don't support any suggestion that people take up arms.

They are urging people to call the police in the first instance when facing a threat to their safety.