Burglaries Down: Public Negligence Up

NEW ZEALAND SECURITY ASSOCIATION (INC)

Media release
June 24 2005

Burglaries Down: Public Negligence Up

Partnerships with the security and insurance industries, along with a move to digital intelligence-led strategies, are helping Police bring down the number of burglaries taking place in New Zealand.

But until the public starts to take their own security measures seriously, the problem will never go away.

Detective Sergeant Paul Basham, Officer in Charge, Bay of Plenty Law Enforcement Team in Tauranga will address the New Zealand Security Association conference in Auckland today (June 24) on “Current Burglary Trends in New Zealand – the Bigger Picture.”

Mr Basham says it is “staggering” how lax and lazy people still are about their security arrangements.

“People go out all day leaving their front door unlocked or a window open. They leave valuable property in full view of passers by. They not only leave their cars unlocked, they leave their keys in the car and wonder why it is stolen.”

The way in which Police are going about addressing burglaries is undergoing a revolution, he says, moving from investigative procedures to strategies such as the use of task specific law enforcement teams.

But with the help of strategic alliances – such as that with the security industry – the results are much more effective, Mr Basham says. Education has a role to play too.

“Capability building and target hardening though such initiatives as television programmes which illustrate to viewers just how easily a house can be burgled if not alarmed or guarded make a real difference.”

The New Zealand Security Association is committed to partnerships with the Police, says Chairman Scott Carter. “Working together we can provide a more cost effective and efficient service to all New Zealanders.”

ENDS

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