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Police Deliver Crime Prevention Information to Avonside ResidentsNew Zealand Police, Christchurch
The initiative follows an increased level of community support between neighbours and other residents in the area, following the Canterbury earthquake. Police have combined with Neighbourhood Support and produced a crime prevention handout. This is a great opportunity to join with your neighbours and form a Neighbourhood Support Group, says Community Constable Greg Thomas. The Earthquake has brought the community together, people are assisting each other and looking for ways to assist their community. Being a part of a neighbourhood group gives a sense of a common interest and looking out to assist each other when needed. Christchurch has over 2000 Neighbourhood Support Groups and they usually number from 6 or so houses to larger groups of 20 or more in a street. Members of a group receive Crime prevention Information and other assistance from the Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinator. They receive information on Crime happening in their area and often given information on suspicious persons and vehicles. Members also receive the quarterly " Eye on Crime " magazine. Neighbourhood Support groups create safer streets and reduce crime. Its all about people talking and sharing information, often the smaller things such as when your neighbour is away on holiday, keeping an eye on their house. Dave Wilkinson, Co-ordinator of Neighbourhood Support, is able to share many success stories from information passed to Police by group members. A recent report involved an elderly lady who witnessed a van driving slowly along her lane, stopping frequently and looking suspicious. She telephoned the registration number to Police and the van was wanted in relation to day time burglaries in the area. Police will continue to deliver the hand outs over the next few weeks and residents are encouraged to use the information to make their neighbourhood a safer place. Constable Greg Thomas, Community Constable - Avonside, Christchurch contact: 363 7575 |
