Operation Persil cleans up Hamilton crime

Operation Persil, which sought to clean up Hamilton by targeting dishonesty offenders, has led to 20 arrests including a pair of burglars with almost 300 prior convictions.

Hamilton City area commander Inspector Rob Lindsay said the fourth phase of the operation had seen close to 80 searches carried out around the city.

"Last December, as a result of information from Operation Persil, we ran Operation Surf where a group of inner city apartments were searched revealing considerable quantities of firearms, drugs and other weapons.

"At a storage facility rented by those residing in the apartments we found a cache of stolen electronics and it identified there was a hidden commodities market operating where people would exchange stolen goods in return for drugs or other items."

He said the arrests showed the willingness of offenders to ignore court orders - some committing further crimes while on bail.

Two men arrested after a burglary were found to have been breaching bail at the time and between them had amassed 285 previous charges.

Both had links to gangs and were now in police custody.

Mr Lindsay said police were happy with the arrests, but would like more. He asked the public to help by notifying police of any suspicious behaviour.

Operation Persil will continue over the next few months with 25 staff fighting burglary. Hamilton will also join a national drive to stop the sale of stolen goods.

- NZPA