Information from the public is the key to preventing crime

Counties Manukau Police are asking for the community to rally against car thieves after an ongoing spate of thefts throughout the District.

Crime statistics released a month ago reveal a 10% increase in motor vehicle theft in the District during 2014 and Police are encouraging members of the public to be vigilant with the security of their car and valuables, and to keep and eye out for suspicious behaviour.

Counties Manukau Police Field Crime Manager Detective Inspector Uraia Vakaruru says the community and Police need to work in partnership to reduce car crime across Auckland. An Organised Crime Unit has been assigned within the Counties Manukau Police Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) to target this offending throughout the wider Auckland area.

“There have been number of recent incidents involving stolen vehicles which've been used to commit ram raids of commercial premises across Auckland and the unit will focus on these,” says Detective Inspector Vakaruru.

“Vehicles are broken into everyday and either stolen to be used to commit other offences or dumped after an offender has used it to joy ride or return to an area they frequent. The impact that offending has is significant on the victims, the owners of those vehicles, who suffer the personal and financial loss and the disruption of their daily activities and the inconvenience it causes having to get vehicles repaired and road worthy.

"Stolen vehicles involved in pursuits with our staff tend to be driven by young offenders who put the public and themselves at great risk which can end in tragedy. We need the assistance of our communities to provide us with information on these individuals and their activities to prevent them from creating more innocent victims,” says Detective Inspector Vakaruru.

Police have increased foot patrols and amended deployment arrangements throughout the District to target thieves in known hotspot areas. Additionally, District-wide operations such as the “Back to School” anti-truancy operation which follows the school holidays is assisting with reducing property crime.

Members of the public need to remain vigilant with their security and be aware of suspicious behaviour happening around them, Police say.

“Preventing your car from being stolen is sometimes as simple as making sure it’s locked and valuables are not in sight when you park it. Thieves don’t need any encouragement; your car should also be locked when it’s parked in your driveway.

“Information from the public is vital for us to prevent further offending.The information could include observing someone trying car doors, loitering in a public carparks, acting suspiciously around cars in driveways or any other behaviour that appears unusual for the area.

This should be reported to Police by calling 111 immediately.

Vehicles currentlytargeted by offenders include late 1990s Nissan (Sunny, Primera, Bluebirds), early 2000's Mazda (Demio, Familia) and Subaru (Forester, Legacy, Impreza).

Police encourage owners of these vehicles to be particularly vigilant with security.

“A wheel lock is money well spent on the security of your vehicle,” says Detective Inspector Vakaruru.

“We all have a role to play in reducing car crime – If we all do our bit to watch out for suspicious activity we can make a big difference and significantly reduce the number of victims of crime in our community.”

Police encourage anyone with information on theft or any other crime to contact the organisation Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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