It’s the first official day of summer, and after a wet spring, home gardens are flourishing.
As well, cannabis growers are also tending what they hope will be a bumper crop later in the season.
In light of this, Police are asking members of the Auckland-wide public - especially the rural community – to be on the lookout for suspicious activity over the next few months, as new cannabis crops are planted.
Organised offending like this occurring in rural areas has a direct influence on other types of crime, such as thefts, burglaries, robberies, serious violence and intimidation.
Cannabis growers have previously trespassed on private land, destroyed farm crops, intimidated people using regional parks, damaged locks on gates and stolen items such as farm bikes and fencing equipment.
Cannabis crops are grown in the same way as regular plants like fruits and vegetables – seedlings are planted in spaces where there’s sunlight, plants are regularly watered and fertilized, and pests are kept away from the crops by netting and fencing. In order to do this, growers need to keep checking on their crops, returning to the location, and often carrying equipment with them.
Police urge anyone who notices the following to report it:
- Discarded gardening packaging in unusual locations
- People carrying gardening equipment or water into the bush
- Unexplained lights in the bush or farmland at night
- Unknown vehicles using and parking on private forestry or farmland roads
- An unusual, distinctive smell coming from a property or an area of bush or forest.
Deerstalkers, pig-hunters, trampers, people taking part in outdoor recreation pursuits, and those who work in the rural industry are urged to assist Police by keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviour.
It is a common tactic for growers to grow on neighbouring or public land, as they believe they will be less likely to be held accountable. If this is occurring on private property without the owner’s consent, the owner is not legally responsible and it is important that they contact Police if they notice anything.
Any information is useful, even if it turns out to be nothing. Police rely on the public to assist them as extra eyes and ears in the community, so if something seems not quite right, let us know.
Anyone who can help is asked to call or visit their local Police station.
Information can also be given anonymously by calling the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre