15 October 2001

Burglary case highlights gross inadequacy in police resources

It was more than three days after a smash and grab raid on an Auckland apartment, that the Police finally showed up but they still did not do fingerprinting for another two days. “This situation is totally unacceptable and only serves as an encouragement to the criminal fraternity to continue their unlawful acts,” said Party Leader Graham Capill.

“The CHP calls upon the government to urgently increase funding to the Police so that response times and clearance rates can be improved,” Mr Capill said.

On 6 October 2001, between 11.30 am and 2 pm, the apartment was broken into and stereo and computer gear stolen. After initially reporting it, the couple suggested that the perpetrators could be easily traced, as the computer would automatically connect to the victim’s ISP, Xtra, and a trace would reveal the phone line it was connected to. Five days later, not only had the police failed to take up the suggestion, but no statement had even been taken despite repeated requests for assistance. The victim’s partner, concerned at the lack of action, contacted the CHP for help.

“New Zealand ought to take such crimes very seriously. The Police are doing their best, but they are under resourced especially in Auckland. This case illustrates a great lost opportunity to catch the offender or offenders and restore the victim. The failure to act has given yet another signal to the offenders that in this country you are unlikely to be caught.

“The government must address this situation as a matter of priority. With the insecurity evident in the world at this time, citizens need to know that their Police Force is well able to take care of them. The CHP also calls upon the Auckland Regional Commissioner to investigate why the response time has been so poor in this particular case,” Mr Capill concluded.

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