Data analysis by Farmgate has identified Counties Manukau Police staffing levels could be inadequate. This is based on the percentage of theft using stolen vehicles says Michael Smith, Partnerships Manager, Farmgate.
“At Farmgate we have an ambitious goal – to reduce rural crime by 50% by strengthening community partnerships. Our analysis of over five million data points identified the Counties Manukau district Police may need an additional 202 staff to get on top of the rampant stolen vehicle problem in that district,” Smith says.
The analysis has also revealed the problem could potentially be resolved by reallocating staff from other regions.
“For example in comparison to Counties Manukau, the Waitemata district has 327 more staff covering the vehicles stolen in that district as a percentage of staff per vehicle theft. While Farmgate accepts other crime in other districts may require a higher level of policing, could the issue be resolved through a reallocation of resources rather than taking on more Police recruits?” Mr Smith asks.
According to the analysis, the Southern district Police appear to be doing better than their counterparts in other districts, he says.
“Southern region are right on the button when comparing staffing levels to stolen vehicle data – but that area sits well below the rest of the country when it comes to the number of vehicles stolen as a percentage of the population in that region.”