Nineteen extra cameras, a new offender processing room and a frontline police information centre have been introduced in a major security upgrade at Bayfair shopping complex.
The cameras _ which bring the total number to 32 _ cover the entire complex and are now monitored from a new upstairs security room.
The
new cameras eliminate ``dead areas' outside the complex and are powerful enough for security staff and police to view faces clearly and read number plates on vehicles parked anywhere in the carpark.
Next to the monitoring room is a new area where police can interview and process offenders.
Police also yesterday opened a new Police Information Centre on the ground floor by the underground carpark entrance, where a volunteer is available to help people.
Bayfair centre manager Andrew Wadsworth said although the crime statistics in the Bayfair and Arataki area were the worst in the Western Bay, the region also had the best record for crime reduction when the right security measures were implemented.
Mr Wadsworth said the $200,000 bill for the security upgrade had been split between Bayfair owners AMP and Tower.
The Police Information Centre will be manned by community volunteers from 9am until 3pm weekdays.
It will act as a first port of call for people wanting policing advice or to report offending.
It also has a direct line to Mount Maunganui Police Station.
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby said the security upgrade and policing centre were examples of police, business and the community working together to create a safer atmosphere.
He said the previous police centre, which closed in June to make way for retail space, combined with Youth Ambassadors at the shopping centre had made a significant difference to crime.
"So what you see here is really the mark two version based on previous experience," said Mr Crosby, in reference to the new centre.
Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Mike Clement said police had "grabbed" the chance to have a presence at Bayfair, which attracts about 5.8 million visitors each year.
"I don't know what we'd do without volunteers in this town," said Mr Clement, who said in total about 100 volunteers worked alongside police in the Western Bay.
"We can't encourage them enough," he said.
