Neighbourhood police teams lauded by Minister

Minister of Police, Judith Collins speaks to the media at the official launch of Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Papakura, Auckland. Photo / NZPA.

Neighbourhood policing teams will help tackle crime at its source, by preventing wrongdoing before it happens, Police Minister Judith Collins says.

Speaking at the formal launch of the policing teams in Counties Manukau today, Mrs Collins said the first six of 16 teams planned for the district were already making a real difference in preventing crime.

"Each team usually includes a sergeant and up to six constables, and works with the same vulnerable neighbourhood of 2000 to 3000 people for up to five years. They are highly visible, working at grass-roots level to build good relationships aimed at nipping crime in the bud.

"This is all about getting the police working even more closely with the community," Mrs Collins said.

The teams could only be diverted to other jobs when the need was very high.

Superintendent Mike Bush, district commander for Counties Manukau Police, said this was a new front-line police initiative.

"The neighbourhood policing teams are about making a long-term sustained impact on crime and crashes, so we can take a very proactive prevention approach to policing.

"Over the next few years, our plan is to drive down crime, and the harm that road trauma causes."

The main priority was to make communities safe for anyone who lived, worked and visited those neighbourhoods, but in a long term, sustained way, Mr Bush said.

These teams will be working in the high priority neighbourhoods in Counties Manukau - Pukekohe, Papakura, Otara, Clendon, Otahuhu and the Ferguson area of Otara.

Another three teams will be rolled out around Counties Manukau by November, and another three by February, with a total of 16 by the end of 2011.

The Government aims to roll out teams nationally from 2012.

- NZPA