Police have announced a new public-facing police base will be established on Federal St in Auckland’s CBD.
It comes ahead of the Prime Minister speaking to media at the site at about 4pm. The Herald will livestream that above.
Richard Chambers, the new Police Commissioner who officially took up the role on Monday, said the 24/7 police base will “go a long way to address crime in central Auckland” and make “responding to crime in the CBD faster and more effective”.
”Currently, the 24/7 public counter for the Auckland City District is located at College Hill, approximately two kilometres away from the city centre. Relocating the 24/7 public counter will also provide a better service to the community.”
A lease agreement has been signed to gradually take full occupancy of the site at 210 Federal St from January next year. A public counter will be open to people from mid-2025.
A police statement highlighted that it is located near Aotea Square and across the road from Te Waihorotiu Railway Station.
”This location will enable Police to deploy easily across the city from K Road to Quay Street, enabling Police to have a strong CBD presence,” the statement said.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell welcomed the announcement.
”Public safety is at the heart of this Government’s law-and-order programme, and increasing police visibility across our main CBDs is a key part of that.
“Having a central police base, alongside the city’s beat team, is exactly what people expect and what our major city needs. It will enable police to respond more quickly to crime and ensure the public feel safer when going about their daily business.”
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the formation of the Coalition Government, the parties of which campaigned heavily on law-and-order issues.
Its gang-patch ban came into force last week. Police have taken action against a number of gang members around the country for being allegedly in breach of it, including arresting the president of the Head Hunters West chapter for displaying insignia in public.
The president was the second person to be charged in relation to the new law. He was identified as being one of five motorcyclists wearing Head Hunters West patches in the Wellsford area at around 1.20am on November 21. The ban came into operation at midnight that day.
There’s also been focus placed on responding to crime in central Auckland amid concerns from local residents and businesses.
New community beat police teams were established in June, including 21 additional police staff based in the Auckland CBD. That took the overall team there to 51.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell said last week that he was pleased with a reduction in overall victimisations over the past year. However, between January and September this year, there has been an increase in theft and related offences, up 12% compared to the same period last year.
“Retail crime continues to be an area of significant challenge and the Government is working tirelessly to get on top of it. Theft in the retail space continues to grow but I am pleased to see the trend slowing at the more violent end.”
Monday is also Richard Chambers’ first day as Police Commissioner. He was announced as taking the top-job last week. He said that among his priorities will be “doing the basics well” and supporting frontline police.
