Police News

Weekly "On the Beat" articles

- How to report a crime

- Door to door sales of Security devices

Burglar Profile - courtesy from Victim Support "Reducing the risk of burglary"

Police Ten One Community Edition On line Magazine

Treecutters

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02-Dec-09 (extract from Constable Garry Bowles "On the Beat" article

Since the beginning of November there has been an injection of new policing staff into the Counties-Manukau District.

There are more staff and squads working in the area than ever before. With the new staff arriving and more police working at the peak times over Thursday, Friday and weekend nights we have more staff available to attend incidents.

In line with these changes I wish to inform you of the best and most appropriate way of contacting police.

In many of the Neighbourhood Support group meetings I speak at I am often asked what numbers other than 111 should be used to contact police, as many people do not feel comfortable calling 111. This is the answer I give and I'm sure it will help explain the situation.

If you need police immediately, dial 111. Always use this number, when offenders are present. If you are in any way unsure, still call 111.

All calls are vetted by a police call-taker, they will prioritise your call and make a decision on whether to send police or not.

To report a crime which police do not need to attend, or has happened in the past, call the crime reporting line 261-1300. Using this service will usually save you coming into the station to report the matter in person.

Your complaint or report will result on a file being created electronically which can be sent to the correct department immediately.

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05-Aug-08

Theft of Palms at Eastern Beach

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19-Mar-08

There has been a run of trailer thefts in Howick.

Over the last few weeks there has been several trailer thefts per week. Various types of trailers that have been stolen off people's property.

So if you have a trailer on your property please ensure that it is secured.

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15-Aug-06

Howick Police are concerned about the number of thefts from cars that go unreported. Sgt Keith Olsen says Police suspect cars are being broken into but for a number of reasons the crime is not reported to Police. "Victims may have left valuables in the car and don't want to be embarrassed by having to admit they created an opportunity for the thief", he says.

Sgt Olsen says having the full picture is vital when it comes to tasking patrol units. "We want to send our staff to 'hot spots' where the greatest need is. If people don't report their thefts we are less likely to patrol those areas", he says. The civilian community patrol also relies on this information to direct their members.

Police urge everyone who has their car interfered with or broken into to visit the Police station and make a report.  

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18-May-06

Recently a female resident found someone in her house after leaving the front door open and unattended.
After finding this person she blocked the offenders exit path and a struggle developed.
In the end the offender made off on foot but managed to evade capture as police dogs lost the trail. Fortunately the resident was not hurt in this case.

Two things come out of this people shouldnt block the exit of an offender as someone could get hurt (not necessarily the offender) but should follow at a safe distance so you can advise police the direction of escape.
The other is not to leave doors open and unattended where someone could access your home without your knowledge.

Security screen doors are very good inexpensive method of securing your doorway.

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Sept-05 ("On the Beat" by Constable Tom Molloy - Eastern Courier - September 28th)

One of the biggest crimes that concern the police at the moment is the number of thefts from vehicles. I do not propose to tell you how the thieves operate for fear of informing other villains.

What I will say is that if nothing is left in the vehicle to steal, they cannot take anything.

That includes empty bags and wallets that have no money in them.

If an offender can see a brief case or laptops bag, he will break into the vehicle to see what the case has in it, even though the owner may have left the case empty.

While walking the beat one day in Howick, I looked into a car which had its glovebox open and the briefcase on the passenger seat was left wide open for all to see that no valuables were in the car.

If you cannot remove items of interest to criminals, that is the next best action.

Even when there is nothing of value in sight, criminals will often break into a car just to have a look at what's in the boot. Be aware that when you get out of the car criminals may be watching you.

Of they see you put your valuables in the boot they may break in when you leave.

If you are a victim of theft from your motor vehicle make sure you report it to your nearest station. That way the details will be forwarded to Howick intelligence section and we will be able to focus our resources on the relevant area.

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Jul-05 - Operation Catchem.

23-Mar-04 - Half Moon Bay burglary problem

17-Nov-04

Please ensure that you report all crime.

That includes reporting all acts of wilful damage like graffiti and other vandalism like destruction of letterboxes and shrubs on roadside.

These problems seem to be more prevalent during the summer months.

If it doesn't get reported, then police records show we don't have a problem in the area, and it is very hard for them to substantiate resources to a police operation to resolve the problem that "doesn't appear to exist".

Should it be graffiti, take a photo if you can, and paint it out as soon as possible. Report it to police and supply the photograph when you can. Should it be on public property, call the Manukau City Council 24/7 Call Centre on 2625104.  

06-Sep-04

A burglar was apprehended following a burglary in a road off Cascades Road. A new immigrant disturbed a burglar and ran to her neighbour as she speaks little english. The neighbour came outside and saw the offender leaving the scene. He took particular note of the offender's description and direction he moved off in. He then went back inside and phoned the police. Then he came back outside with his cordless phone and spoke to the first patrol car to arrive passing on the description and the direction the offender went.

As a result the burglar was apprehended and will appear in court.

09-Aug-04

An excellent job was by the street co-ordinator from from Pakuranga street on 03-Aug. He saw two suspicious boys walking along the street.
He watched them, spoke to them, and carried on watching them.
The phone tree started.
Several neighbours carried on the watching.
Next thing the two boys stole two mountain bikes from a property, the street coordinator challenged them but they got away on the bikes.
Police were promptly called. Police (due to rapid response times) apprehended both boys at a local shopping centre.
The bikes were returned to the owner.
The boys are to be prosecuted. (Both were known to police).

Once again, another case of neighbourhood support working with Police to catch criminals and recover property.

23-Jun-04 (courtesy Eastern Courier)

Criminals are often looking for ways to fool the law-abiding public.
A ploy that has been used in recent times is for a thief or burglar to wear a disguise. The disguise includes a "day-glow" reflectorised jacket or jerkin similar to those worn by road worker staff.
One example I know of was where the burglar was wearing his "road worker" jacket while going from door to door, checking to see if anyone was home.
A vigilant resident saw this man. Rather than opening her door to his knock she called the police straight away on 111. She then saw a car containing the burglar's accomplices arrive down her shared driveway.
The burglars broke into her neighbour's house and started to load property into their getaway car.
Fortunately the resident was relaying all of this information to the police, who by this stage had arrived at the the scene and apprehended the culprits before their had left the property.
This is an excellent example of Neighbourhood Support in action.
The resident saw something that was definitely suspicious. She knew what to do and acted immediately. The police responded and made several arrests. The property was returned to the victim forthwith.
If you see someone acting suspiciously on property, have a close look. Their appearance may appear at first glance to be legitimate. However, legitimate workmen don't go around houses trying doors and windows.
Our local community constables are very keen to work with you to set up Neighbourhood Support groups or rekindle those that have not been active. Together, we can reduce crime.

Sergeant Keith Olsen, Youth and Community Services, Howick

11-Jun-04

If anybody sees a red BMW Reg. No UC???? please contact Howick Police immediately on 5380300.
The police want to speak to it's male occupant about an attempted burglary in Pakuranga and a recent handbag snatch.

ATM Scam

The latest ATM scam involves thieves putting a thin, clear, rigid plastic 'sleeve' into the ATM card slot.
When you insert your card, the machine can't read the strip, so it keeps asking you to re-enter your PIN number.
Meanwhile, someone behind you watches as you tap in your number. Eventually you give up, thinking the machine has swallowed your card and you walk away. The thieves then remove the plastic sleeve complete with card, and empty your account. The way to avoid this is to run your finger along the card slot before you put your card in. The sleeve has a couple of tiny prongs that the thieves need to get the sleeve out of the slot, and you'll be able to feel them.
The police would like as many people as possible to be aware of this scam, so pass this on to your friends.

08-May-2002

Look again
An officer in blue may have been a light shade of pink after an incident in Christchurch. A menswear store manager was driving when he was pulled up by the Policeman. He was told he would be issued with a ticket as his back-seat passenger was not wearing a safety belt. The driver suggested the Officer take a closer look at the passenger, but the officer wasn't interested. When the man insisted, he did take another look … at the mannequin. (The Press)

22-December-2001

Come and get me ……
A man made the Queenstown Police job a little easier recently after he rang them on a Police radio he'd just stolen from the location station. A witness saw a man leaving the station early one morning last month, with arms full of stolen property, including Police uniforms, and rang 111. Local staff say the suspect - "who was quite intoxicated" - played a part in his own downfall by ringing them on a stolen Police radio and telling them where he was. (New Zealand Herald)

22-December-2001

Save the pain, cover your brain…..
Wearing a cycle helmet, and wearing it properly is the message behind a new cycle safety campaign launched last week by Police. The "Save the pain, cover your brain" campaign targeting school children was initiated by Mainland's ongoing commitment to the well being of New Zealand families. The campaign is endorsed by Police, Bikewise and the Land Transport Safety Authority. National Road Safety Manager, Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald, provided some thought-provoking statistics to those attending the Karori Normal Primary School launch in Wellington. "Over the last two years there have been 27 deaths, and a large number of serious injuries to cyclists, some of whom could have been saved if they'd taken the time to wear their cycle helmets correctly" he said. The campaign will see a nationwide distribution of brochures about wearing helmets, with simple instructions for parents and bike riders on how to adjust a helmet properly. Police Education Officers and Bikewise coordinators will distribute these brochures on regular visits to schools to talk about cycle safety. These brochures are also being sent to every cycle shop in New Zealand. The slogan for the campaign "Save the pain, cover your brain" came from a nation-wide competition for school students to come up with a slogan they could relate to.

22-December-2001

Up close & personal…..
An off-duty Policeman, who spends a lot of time working with prisoners at the courts, had been having a quiet drink in a hotel. He was visiting the toilet when he heard a friendly "G'day mate" from a patron at the adjoining urinal. He responded in a friendly fashion, and also gave the familiar face a reminder that a warrant was out for his arrest, and it would be a good idea if he presented himself at court at the first opportunity. (The Press)

22-December-2001

Unbelievable stories

- A 15 year old boy walked up the driveway of a private Rotorua residence, past police cars, approached a suited detective, produced $20.00 and asked to buy a 'tinnie'
Exercising a severe error of judgment, the boy had walked into the midst of the arrest of two men on cannabis realized offences. He was given a warning for trying to procure a classified drug.

- A Palmerston North drink driver won the attention of a police patrol after tooting at officers as he drove past. The man was found to have a breath alcohol limit twice the legal limit. In response to the incident local police said the stupidity of some people never ceased to amaze local staff.

29-November-2001

Operation SNAP

Operation SNAP was launched in December 1999 by Auckland City Police, Safer Auckland City, the Insurance Council of New Zealand, New Zealand Licensed Traders Association and Cash Converters, in an effort to reduce opportunities for the sale of stolen goods.

This consisted of approved second-hand dealers ringing the CIU reception at Auckland Central Police Station to have serial numbers checked. The second-hand dealers also made a commitment to only buy items that clearly had serial numbers.

There were at times up to 80 stores using this service but over time, the ability for some dealers to complete their serial number checks, has certainly not been as efficient as it could be. Due to this occurring some stores in South Auckland have been ringing through to the police and being put through to the 'Service Desk' for these queries to be completed.

To ensure that "South Auckland" second-hand dealers have the ability to continue to be part of this initiative, and with the best possible service, the District Intelligence Section of the Counties Manukau Police are now providing the facility to have serial numbers checked. We have a direct line and receive and action calls during the day. After hours the telephone will automatically divert, via the telephonist to staff on the 'Service Desk'.

The project for Counties-Manukau was launched for the first week of May, it actually commenced in the last couple of days of April. So far in the last two weeks we have completed 34 checks, yesterday a positive hit for a stolen vacuum cleaner from a store in Tuakau. the burglary was originally committed in Mt Wellington in September last year. One offender is helping the local police with enquiries.

15-May-2001

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