Live cameras reduce crime in Waikato hotspots

Police are monitoring 24-hour surveillance cameras in Ngaruawahia and Huntly crime hotspots under a new scheme aimed at reducing crime in the Waikato.

Huntly Police Sub Area Manager, Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson says the long-term plan is to install more cameras in the Huntly, Meremere, Ngaruawahia, Raglan and Franklin areas.

“Right now we are viewing and monitoring the Ngaruawahia CBD, Huntly CBD and Huntly West High School on a live feed to the police station and we have installed support cameras in Meremere. In the near future we have the opportunity to go to smaller areas like Whatawhata and Tamahere and we will place cameras randomly in hot spots to concentrate on corridors of crime,” he said.

The initiative is collaboration between North Waikato Police, Waikato District Council and the North Waikato Crime Prevention Technology Trust (NWCPTT). Waikato District Council, local community boards and committees, and the NWCPTT are funding the camera surveillance scheme.

“The liquor ban imposed by Waikato District Council in the North Waikato district area, including Raglan, coupled with our surveillance system has already had an impact. The cameras are showing less people walking the streets with alcohol, looking for opportunities to cause crime,” Sergeant Simpson said.

“This is a great example of Council and police working together to reduce crime.”

Recently police were able to positively identify an offender involved in a bank robbery on a number of local cameras.

Waikato companies are working with police on the technical support and installation of surveillance systems. Police can now offer free support and advice on camera surveillance for private businesses and schools.

“Graffiti is an ongoing issue in our community and live camera surveillance is a cost-effective solution that reduces the problem by identifying the offenders and recording real-time evidence of the crime,” said Senior Sergeant Simpson.