Media Release

2 May 2008

Manukau mayor wants more people to join Neighbourhood Support

New Neighbourhood Support Groups are being formed in Manukau city’s newest areas – but more people are wanted to lead groups across the city.

More Manukau city residents should consider joining or forming Neighbourhood Support Groups, Manukau mayor Len Brown says.

These groups are part of a network linked to police, but run by residents.

“With neighbours looking after each other, people can help to combat crime and make friends in the process,” Mr Brown says.

“I’m pleased to see new Neighbourhood Support Groups have been set up recently in Mission Heights and Botany in response to crime in these areas.

“Crime is not just a police problem but a community problem and the community can help by being the eyes and ears for police and reporting incidents and suspicious activity.”

There are about 1200 Neighbourhood Support Groups in Manukau city. There are 385 in Pakuranga/Bucklands Beach, 279 in Papatoetoe, 260 in Howick/Botany and 200 in Manurewa/Manukau Central with smaller numbers in other areas.

Mr Brown says it’s great to see this level of involvement, but there could be many more groups formed which would improve overall community safety.

“People move house more often these days. When coordinators move away and aren’t replaced, their group struggles to keep going.

“I’d like to see more people offer themselves as coordinators either for new groups or to replace those who have moved away.

Benefits for neighbourhoods include better community spirit and a reduced fear of crime.

Groups receive Neighbourhood Support street signs and stickers and newsletters containing details on any local criminal activity. They also get crime prevention advice on personal and property protection and develop a working relationship with their local Community Constable.

For information on how to join Neighbourhood Support or to find out more about the groups, people should visit www.nsupport.co.nz or contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau.

The website is for groups in the Howick/Otara policing area, but people from other parts of Manukau can be supplied with contact details for Neighbourhood Support in their areas.

ENDS

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