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Combined forces reduce burglariesTaranaki Daily News By LEIGHTON KEITH
Police say they have increased their presence on the streets and are working closely with other agencies, including the courts, Neighbourhood Support and second-hand dealers to help curb the number of burglaries. South Taranaki has had a mixed result with an overall drop of 7 per cent in burglaries but a 12 per cent increase in burglaries of rural houses. New Plymouth area commander Inspector Blair Telford said overall provisional burglary rates were down 12 per cent. "The major reduction has been in the burglary of residential properties which are down 17 per cent," Mr Telford said. The number of burglaries, between July 2010 to the middle of February 2011, had dropped from 385 to 338. "That means there were 47 fewer victims in the community." Mr Telford said he was very pleased with the result. "Obviously one of the police's key strategic outcomes is around reducing crime. I think having a number of different initiatives are all contributing in their own right to reducing the likelihood of people in the community becoming victims of crime," he said. "Crime can not survive in a community that cares." Police had tried to make it difficult for known criminals to ply their trade. "We focused on identifying recidivist burglars and we've been targeting known hot spots." Increased powers to take DNA samples was also helping police to identify offenders, he said. Police had also increased bail checks, making it increasingly difficult for offenders to flout court orders. "When offenders are caught and are placed on curfew police are following up making sure that they are complying with the conditions," Mr Telford said. More than 577 homes in New Plymouth had signed up for the Neighbourhood Support network during the crackdown. "When we do have a burglary in an area, not only do police follow up with the victims but they follow up with Neighbourhood Support to get a group set up," Mr Telford said. "It shows good community support and spirit, they're taking ownership and not only looking after themselves but their neighbours as well." Relationships between police and second-hand dealers were making it harder for thieves to unload stolen property, he said. Taranaki rural area commander Inspector Frank Grant said most of the burglaries had happened around Te Kiri and the Riverlea area between October and February. "The big concern has been around rural dwellings including farm and implement sheds." Police arrested a person in connection with most of the burglaries late last month. Mr Grant advised farmers to keep all machinery and tools secure and to securely fasten fuel tanks.
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