Crisis deepens for Auckland’s thin blue line

The Auckland policing crisis is getting worse, with latest figures showing only a handful of extra officers expected on the streets before Christmas, says National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall.

In answers to parliamentary questions, Police Minister George Hawkins has indicated that only one extra officer is expected in the North Shore-Waitakere district before Christmas, and not one extra officer is expected for Auckland City.

"Policing in Auckland is in crisis. Violent crime is rising and it is taking longer for police to respond to burglaries. Less than one in ten burglaries is actually solved in Auckland.

"The Minister's local station in Manurewa is short of nine sworn staff. The Auckland CIB is well under-strength.

"Despite all the promises by this Government, the situation is getting worse. Mr Hawkins' decision to cancel 240 recruits at the beginning of 2001 is to blame and his $1 million recruitment campaign has been an utter disaster.

"We understand the long-awaited report on Auckland's policing crisis is nothing other than a list of 40 current initiatives, including a whole lot of excuses. The appointment of an overseeing Assistant Commissioner won't address the real issues.

"Without a strong police presence on the streets of Auckland, we can’t prevent entry-level crime and maintain a sense of security in the community. At the moment, the crooks are the most confident people in Auckland," says Mr Ryall.

Staff as at 30 October Projected staff at 31 December

Written Question 12336 Written Question 10324

North Shore 587 588

Auckland 621 621

Counties 691 705

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