A New Zealand city has dramatically slashed street crime - by playing classical music through loudspeakers.
Christchurch has seen a 'staggering' fall in anti-social behaviour since installing the speakers in City Mall last year.
The number of anti-social incidents attended by city centre security guards fell from 77 a week, before the move, to just two for the same week this year.
The number of drug and alcohol-related incidents fell from 16 to zero this year.
And the number of times the guards helped shopkeepers with troublesome customers has fallen from 35 to nothing.
Central City Business Association manager originally planned 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," he said.
"Classical music is known for reducing anti-social behaviour. It is much more pleasant now. People sit in that area now because they feel safer."
The officer in charge of the city centre police beat section, agreed the music had helped transform the mall.
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