Kaitaia police have arrested 20 people following an operation targeting crimes such as burglary and theft.
The arrests resulted in 44 offences being cleared, including burglary, unlawful taking of motor vehicles, theft, plus several driving offences including driving with excess breath alcohol.
The offenders ranged in age from 15 to 33 years old. Some of the burglaries included four that occurred at the RSA in Kaitaia where the offenders targeted alcohol.
During the operation police used a number of tactics to catch the offenders and prevent further offending such as bail checks, traffic checkpoints, random vehicle stops and foot patrols.
Senior Constable Steve Robinson, who led the operation, said it was a 'whole of policing' effort involving several workgroups such as public safety team staff (formerly know as general duties), highway patrol staff and intelligence section staff.