Police across the lower North Island and South Island have joined forces under the banner of Operation Safe Home to target burglary and other property offences.
Lower North Detective Superintendent Paul Kench says that throughout June different Police areas have deployed a wide variety of tactics to target known offenders, hot locations and provide advice to previous victims of burglary.
Across Hawke's Bay, Wairoa and Gisborne 16 people are facing a raft of drugs-related charges with cash, cannabis and a stolen horse float seized. Through out the operation 328 cannabis plants, five kilos of dried cannabis and 50 'tinnies' were seized.
In Taranaki, Taumarunui, Palmerston North, Whanganui and New Plymouth, Police arrested 53 people for a range of property and drug offending with over $53,000 worth of property being seized.
Officers were able to conduct the operation covertly using their new mobility devices as a least one offender was monitoring Police movements using a radio scanner.
In Wellington District, Police Officers have been patrolling repeat burglary locations and provided prevention advice to over 130 previous victims of burglary to ensure they are taking the necessary steps to prevent them becoming a victim and encouraging use of tools like Operation SNAP.
Nelson Police joined up with the Ministry of Justice to run an operation around warrants to seize which saw over $79,000 in outstanding fines collected.
Canterbury Police continued to target hot spot locations as the city's rebuild is seeing movements in burglary hot spots as earthquake damaged properties are repaired.
Our Invercargill teams focussed on foot patrols in identified high risk areas to provide information in person as well as getting safety information out to the community through their Facebook page.
In Dunedin, three areas of the city were targeted for prevention - the student residential area, Andersons Bay and South Dunedin. Police visited over 200 homes to provide verbal prevention advice or leaving written information.
Police have worked alongside community patrols to ensure a high visibility presence at repeat burglary locations and that preventative actions can be passed on to building and property owners such as installing lighting.
Lower North Detective Superintendent Paul Kench, says "By providing simple prevention advice we've lowered the chances of people becoming victims of crime, such as burglary.
"Criminals will take any opportunity to get into your home and steal your possessions - don't give them the opportunity to".
Superintendent Kench added "Operation Safe Home has sent a strong message to criminals that Police are serious about proactively working with victims to preventing crime."
ENDS
For more crime prevention and safety tips, go to the New Zealand Police website:
http://www.police.govt.nz/protecting-your-stuff
For media queries please contact Nick Bohm, Wellington District Communications Manger, on 027 559 2235.