CCTV keeps down crime in Newmarket

A public-private partnership has helped keep thefts down in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket.

The area reported a 22 per cent reduction in certain crime categories over the past 12 months, with local police and the Newmarket Business Association attributing some of the success to a network of CCTV security cameras.

Thefts from cars, shops and people were down 22 per cent in the year to April 30 compared with the previous year,

"This is an impressive result when you consider the difficult economic times," Newmarket police officer in charge, Senior Sergeant Wendy Spiller said.

She said the CCTV helped prevent crime, detect offenders and gather evidence.

The Newmarket Business Association said the CCTV network was a first for New Zealand.

The wireless security cameras were used in conjunction with security guards who patrol the streets and are in radio contact with monitoring staff inside Newmarket police station.

"This is a truly unique public-private partnership. Never before has a wireless CCTV system been done on this scale in a New Zealand town centre," Newmarket Business Association general manager Cameron Brewer said.

- NZPA