Police Notebook: Youths placing police under 'significant pressure'

The following incidents were reported to Rotorua police during the past few days:

Rotorua police continue to be put under "significant pressure" from unsupervised young people.

Crime prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said unsupervised young people continue to be linked to "volume crime offending".

Volume crimes are offences such as shoplifting, theft from cars, stealing cars, burglaries and petrol drive-offs.

"Unsupervised young people continue to create significant pressure on police demand," Nightingale said.

"We know that a large proportion of thefts from cars and burglaries are committed by young people and these young people are generally not monitored or supervised by their parents or caregivers."

Nightingale said it was also noted that children not attending school were creating issues as well.

"It's important that our young people are engaged in education pathways, which provides great opportunities for employment as they get older.

"Rotorua police are committed to supporting the re-engagement of our young people into school."

Unlawfully taken vehicle still outstanding:

Police are still looking for a vehicle taken overnight on Saturday.The white Mitsubishi Pajero, registration JTT816, was taken from Reeve Rd in Owhata.

Thefts from cars:

Shortly before 3am on Saturday a vehicle was broken into outside the Westbrook Tavern on Malfroy Rd.

Nightingale said thieves struck an unlocked vehicle on Pegasus Drive later that evening.

On Sunday evening a black and yellow specialised mountain bike was stolen from the back of a vehicle outside the Royal Lakeside Novotel.

Burglaries:

Nightingale said there was an assortment of "fairly widespread" burglaries across Rotorua over the weekend.

Suburbs hit include two thefts in Pukehangi, two in Western Heights, two in the CBD, one in Hillcrest, two in Fordlands and one in Kawaha Point.

Nightingale said the police tactical crime unit is working solidly on these offences and is keen to hear from people who may have information about any criminal offending.

Anyone with information about any of the above incidents can call Rotorua police on (07) 349 9400 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.