Watched street not plagued with crime

The Torbay street where a family have erected controversial security cameras to protect themselves from theft and vandalism attracts no more crime than any other in the area.

Rock Isle Rd, lined with nice homes, tropical plants and well-tended gardens, does not look like an area that is plagued by crime. And, say police, it's not.

But residents Coert and Jenny Vorster say the problems there were so bad they had to install security cameras to protect their property from theft and vandalism.

Last week, the North Shore City Council ordered the couple to remove the cameras, which are mounted on 6m-high stands with 2m outreach arms.

The Vorsters say the council decision is unfair as they are only trying to protect themselves from crime. Mrs Vorster says her postbox has been blown up, $8000 worth of palm trees stolen, rubbish was dumped in her property and giant eagle statues on pillars at the front gate were bashed.

But, without downplaying the problem of minor crime, North Shore police say Rock Isle Rd is no more problematic than any other in the area.

Inspector Les Paterson said police had attended eight incidents in the road in the past year. Those incidents were either suspicious people, minor crime or car-related matters.

"Offending over the last 12 months in Rock Isle Rd is below the average for other suburban streets in Torbay and very much in line with other coastal streets in North Shore City."

Mr Paterson said police supported safety measures like neighbourhood watch, but the filming of public places with security cameras was best left to the council.

The council has opposed the idea because the cameras are on public land and the Vorsters did not have consent to build there. It has also received complaints from the public.

Local residents the Herald spoke to were divided about the cameras, which remain despite the council's warning to pull them down.

One woman said she had no problems being filmed as she walked down the road to the boat ramp and beach.

"It doesn't worry me. I think it's a bit of an overkill but I don't worry about it."

Another woman, who lives in the street and did not want to be named, said she felt uncomfortable with the idea that she was being filmed, "but I understand why they have done it".

Other residents have supported the Vorsters' stance against neighbourhood crime, saying the cameras are simply a sign of the times.