Key's old car goes on crime patrol

South Kaipara Community Trust's Peter Lock prepares John Key's donated Holden. Photo / Dean Purcell

A car formerly owned by Prime Minister John Key is about to do its bit to keep the streets of his electorate safe.

Mr Key- who now has no need for the six-year-old saloon - donated it to the South Kaipara Community Trust, a band of hardy volunteers gearing up to patrol police "troublespots" northwest of Auckland.

The Holden XV Calais - worth about $15,000 - will be the main mode of transport for the 30-odd volunteers as they patrol the streets of Helensville from mid-April.

Sergeant Mike Colson, of Helensville police, said the volunteers would act as "the eyes and ears" of local law enforcement, working purely at information gathering.

"Safety is the main concern and a major topic in our training. We can't be putting our volunteers at risk."

Similar community initiatives are already running in Orewa and Kumeu.

All volunteers would have a four-hour training session on how to safely go about their duties before taking part, Mr Colson said.

Volunteers, both male and female, ranging from their 30s up to a man in his 70s, would watch for offending in the community.

"If we are having problems with boy-racers on streets doing burn-outs, then they might be taking registration numbers and car makes for example."

Anyone interested in joining the dedicated team can contact Helensville police on 4208967 and ask to speak to Sergeant Mike Colson or Community Constable Andrew Gentry.