10 May 2002
Reported car thefts and break-ins at the Riverbank car park are down 36 per cent since Hutt City started random patrols
in October last year.
There were 18 thefts from vehicles and one car stolen over the period November-April 2002. That compares with 28 thefts
and two cars stolen in the six months from May-October 2001, before patrols were started.
Traffic Asset Manager Joe Hewitt was very pleased with the impact of the random patrols.
"Prior to the patrols there was a perception that leaving your car in the car park was risky. We thought it was
important from a security point of view and an economic development perspective that we do something to change that.
"The patrols do not stop the need to take basic precautions though, such as always locking your car and keeping any
valuables out of sight," said Joe Hewitt.
Recon Security undertake the random patrols at a cost of $800 per month.
ENDS