Police Notebook: Digger rolls down Rotorua hill and hits bus

Police say they will be concentrating on the unlawful taking of vehicles.

There was a lucky escape when a digger being loaded on to a truck in the Parklands Estate on Pukehangi Rd came loose and hit a bus.

Acting road policing co-ordinator Simon Betchetti said the digger rolled down a hill, colliding with the bus, on Thursday.

"There were no passengers on the bus and no one was injured."

Inquiries are ongoing as to how the digger came loose.

Rural properties a target for theft

Over the weekend 13 burglaries were reported to the police.

Rotorua police area prevention manager Inspector Brendon Keenan said they were widespread.

"We seem to be having a real focus around rural properties being hit.

"A few were from Reporoa or out towards Okere Falls."

More than 10 items were taken from a property in Reporoa where a roller door was used to gain entry overnight on Wednesday.

They included a Hasvana chainsaw, large tool box, two sets of fencing pliers, chisels and other tools.

Jewellery was stolen from a property in Lynmore overnight on Sunday.

The burglar entered through a window and stole a sapphire and diamond ring worth about $3000.

Overnight on Saturday a boat on a trailer was stolen from a property on Okere Rd. The trailer had a lock around the axle that was cut and left behind.

Youths take stolen vehicles on a joy ride

Last Thursday a group of five youths allegedly stole two vehicles from Tauranga.

They travelled to Te Puke "with the intention to steal another vehicle, however were unsuccessful", police said.

They continued to Rotorua and attempted to steal a vehicle at the Lakefront but were unable to start it.

All five youth piled into one vehicle and police chased them, they were spiked on State Highway 30.

Low crime week

Keenan said there were less than 150 total crime offences over the last week, about 30 fewer than the week before.

"The area we are still concentrating on is the unlawful taking of motor vehicles.

"Our indicator for March is that we will really be concentrating on stolen vehicles, burglaries and thefts from shops."

Keenan said it was a quiet week for family violence.

"It was between 50 and 60 offences which is similar to last week, but still a good drop from how we were trending. It is a lot less than the 100 we are used to seeing."

Road policing unit target the fatal five offences

Over the last week the road policing unit have focused on the state highways.

"They had around 120 enforcement interventions," Keenan said.

"Ninety eight per cent of those were dealing with the fatal five and that's just fantastic.

"We're not interested in just ticketing for anything, it's targeted ticketing aimed at the offences that lead to serious crashes."

Missing vehicles

Silver 2014 low rider tandem trailer, registration Z441W, taken from Waikite Valley Rd in Waikite on February 22.

Silver 2005 Ford Courier, registration CYD566, taken from SH5 Waiotapu on February 22.

Silver 2007 Nissan Note, registration GRT174, taken from Tutanekai St on February 22.

Silver 2006 Suzuki Swift, registration LAL747, taken from Cecil Rd, Mamaku on February 19.

Blue 1998 Nissan Navara, registration WT98, taken from Miro Drive, Murupara, on February 17.

Blue 2017 Honda NCH motorcycle, registration B8MPA, taken from Hinemaru St on February 17.

Any information on any of the above incidents can be given to Rotorua police (07) 349 9590 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.