Canterbury Police want everyone to remember Cup and Show Week, traditionally one of the busiest weeks of the year in Canterbury, for the right reasons.
Inspector Peter Cooper, Canterbury Police’s Deployment Manager encourages the public to ‘think safety first’ and plan how you, your family and friends are going to get to/from the races, A&P Show or parties. “We want everyone to reduce the odds of them, their property, vehicles and possessions being targeted by opportunistic criminals by taking simple steps before they set off, while they’re out celebrating and returning home.”
“The mantra of locking your doors, windows, setting alarms and securing valuables out of sight sounds like common sense and something everyone does before going out. Unfortunately many people are still leaving their valuables on display and doors/windows unlocked when they leave their home, motel room or vehicles. To opportunistic thieves this is like leaving a ‘please help yourself’ sign on display.”
“Think about your vehicle and home now. Did you lock the doors? Did you securely latch the windows? Did you leave your laptop on the table next to the window or your GPS and iPOD/MP3 player in full view in your vehicle? If you answered yes to any of these you have an opportunity to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of opportunistic criminals.”
“Our focus every year is to help ensure that Cup and Show Week is safe and enjoyable for everyone. There will be a visible Police presence at events and locations across the city and additional staff will be working to cope with the busy schedule of races, events and the expected number of visitors to the region” explains Inspector Cooper.
“We want everyone to have fun next week but go easy on the alcohol. The new lower alcohol limit came into force in December last year so this will be the first Cup and Show Week with the lower limit. Use this weekend to plan your days and nights next week and book taxis, nominate sober drivers or use public transport so you don’t put you, your friends, your family or anyone else at risk on our roads by driving after consuming alcohol.”
“Alcohol is also a significant contributor in a third of all crime reported annually in New Zealand and Police will be targeting drink driving and focussing on preventing alcohol-related disorder. Be a good mate and stop someone getting intoxicated in the first place and anyone driving drunk. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to that person who is/getting intoxicated speak to one of their friends, the venue organisers, a security guard or member of the emergency services.”
Next week Police will be actively enforcing liquor bans and anyone caught breaching the bans may be arrested. An additional liquor ban will also be in place from 9am to 10pm in the streets surrounding Addington Raceway on NZ Trotting Cup Day, Tuesday 10 November 2015.
Opportunistic criminals don’t just target homes, motel room or vehicles while you’re away. The also use large crowds as ‘cover’ to steal bags, phones or credit card(s).
If you lose your bag or credit card report it to your bank straight away so they can deactivate your card(s) and then report the loss to Police. If you lose your phone and have the ability to ‘lock’ it remotely this will stop someone from getting your data from it, which is particularly important if you stored any passwords or bank details on it. Think about installing an app over the weekend that can track your phone so that if it does get misplaced, lost or stolen you can try to track it and provide information to Police.
Inspector Cooper says “Prevention is always best so your bags with you at all times, don’t give your credit card or PIN to anyone else to use and always shield your PIN from other people. On Cup Day Police typically receive and respond to 20% more callouts than they do on an average 24 hour period on a Tuesday, which is more akin to a Saturday night.”
Recorded offences continued a downward trend last year but alcohol and traffic related offending continued to feature in callouts.
“Remember to keep the doors and windows in your home, motel room or car securely locked at all times and keep valuables out of sight. If you are planning on drinking alcohol make sure you eat food and drinking water to minimise the effect it has on your system. Everyone is different so make your own choices on how much alcohol you consume and above all be a good mate so everyone can be safe and feel safe” says Inspector Cooper.
Canterbury Police checkpoints will operate throughout the week, particularly in the evenings, and young drivers need to be aware that the zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20 years old will be strictly enforced.
Help us to help you have a safe and enjoyable cup and show week. Call *555 from your mobile to report erratic or dangerous driving.
Always dial 111 in an emergency.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404
