Police arrest dozens in major crime-busting operation

Hamilton police have made dozens of arrests in the past 48 hours for robbery, burglary and assault. File photo / NZ Herald

Hamilton police have made dozens of arrests in the past 48 hours for robbery, burglary and assault in a major operation focusing on serious offending.

Operation Providence involved a total of 117 officers on 144 assignments, which led to numerous arrests and search warrants, said Hamilton City commander, Inspector Rob Lindsay.

"With four homicides in the Waikato this year a lot of resources have had to be committed to solving those meaning delays in dealing with other serious crimes," he said.

Among those arrested were two men caught rolling up cannabis cigarettes, allegedly for sale, in a house when members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad arrived this morning.

Quantities of cannabis, ammunition and a firearm were recovered from the property.

A total of 24 people were arrested on warrants, five people arrested for breach of bail, and police made 26 other arrests for robbery, burglary and assault.

There were also 15 other crimes resolved, including youths referred to Youth Aid and formal warnings. Four people were also dealt with for loss of licence for demerit points. Twelve files were sent to neighbouring districts for persons identified as having moved.

Waikato district commander Superintendent Win Van der Velde and Assistant Commissioner Grant Nicholls were out on the streets backing their staff.

"In the first 24 hours we accounted for 48 people wanted for a variety of reasons," said Mr Van der Velde.

"These include three people arrested for aggravated robbery of a Hamilton liquor store in May, another three for an aggravated robbery in March and other people located for interview, arrested for breach of bail or referred to Youth Aid for burglary," he said.

This type of operation had not been done in the Waikato before on such a scale, Mr Van der Velde added.

Police from across the country were looking at the success of the Waikato initiative, said Mr Nicholls.

"With a potential 3000 staff to draw on from across the central-lower North Island we anticipate today's activities to be the forerunner of several similar operations," he said.

- NZPA