19 August 2002

Regions Lose Out In Police Reshuffle

Police officers from around the country are being sent to Auckland on five-week shifts because of spiralling crime and under-staffing, says National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall.

"Auckland policing is in crisis. It is under-staffed, under-resourced and under pressure.

"The Police Commissioner's announcement is part of a PR strategy prior to the release of the 30 June 2002 crime statistics. These soon-to-be released figures are expected to show another increase in violent crime in Auckland.

"Violent crime is already at record levels. But there's a growing belief that there will also be an increase in overall crime for the first time in several years," says Mr Ryall.

A television report at the weekend confirmed the police muster for the Auckland City and Counties/Manukau regions is short by 128 sworn staff, so regional police officers are being sent on five-week secondments to Auckland until December.

"Depleting regional stations to back up Auckland shows how bad things have become. Burglary victims in Auckland are waiting longer and longer to see a police officer, and street crime and disorder - the breeding ground for serious criminals - is going unpoliced," says Mr Ryall.

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