Police deny Martinborough station closing

Sole Martinborough police officer Constable Jaco Pieterse.

Martinborough residents are concerned the "local" is being taken out of the local police station.

A concerned local, Trish Rankin, has claimed the station has been disestablished and is unmanned because local policeman Jaco Pieterse's beat now covers more than Martinborough.

"Now our 'Martinborough cop' could be working anywhere in the South Wairarapa," she said in an email to other locals.

Wairarapa Police area commander Brent Register has refuted the claims and in an email to Mrs Rankin said the Martinborough station was not closing and was manned.

He said the police presence in the town had increased since the New Zealand Police national restructure took place in September.

Mrs Rankin said before this, the local policemen knew always what was going on in their community.

"They worked closely with 'their' community, formed relationships and knew what was happening in their 'patch' of the district."

Mrs Rankin said crime had gone up since the restructure, which Mr Register said was not true.

"Crime stats have actually decreased in the three months that the new roster has been working," he said.

"Martinborough is getting a far better service from five constables now instead of one who was often away on rostered leave, training and other abstractions."

Mr Register said Mrs Rankin had the wrong end of the stick and there were more staff on the beat than before.

"Jaco still works from Martinborough, but now has four other officers to help out."

Mrs Rankin said before the restructure, the local policeman used to be on call 24-7 and now if there was an emergency in the town, Masterton would attend.

Mr Register said officers in Masterton were ready to go with their gear.

"In the old days, they would have to call a cop who was sleeping and they have to get their gear and Tasers, guns."

He said it was probably faster for Masterton to go to a call-out in Martinborough.

Mr Register said a review of the restructure was to take place on November 25. "The review is to see how it's going."

He said he would be happy to meet the community after the review.

Mrs Rankin said Martinborough was being told it was better off with the new structure. "I don't think so and will be ensuring a meeting does occur."