Police continue to focus on retail crime

Police have made numerous arrests across the country and continue to hold retail criminals accountable.

Police continue to focus on retail and youth crime, with some promising results.

• Police’s National Retail Investigative Support Unit has filed 1,331 indictments against 223 offenders since May 2022.

• Approximately 388 Ram Raid-style events occurred between December 1, 2022 and the end of May 2023. To date, police have:

o 218 prosecutions against forced attackers

o Referred 86 youth to Police Youth Services*,

o Continue to actively investigate approximately 99 Rum attacks.

• Since December 1, 2022, 14,215 retail offenses have been indicted and 1,429 juveniles have been referred.

• As of July 6, 472 stores have completed the installation of security interventions under the Retail Crime Prevention Program.

• Fast Track referred 230 children to teams from multiple agencies to develop action plans that were developed within 48 hours.

• Retailers will be better equipped, offer better advice and assist with investigations.

“This reflects the police’s focus on responding to crime and taking preventative approaches to reduce further crime,” said Iwi Community Assistant Secretary Chris de Watigner. increase.

Aggressive police action included the arrest of 17 people across the country over the King’s Birthday weekend. That weekend, Waikato officials arrested four criminals in robberies in the Thames, Patetonga and Tahuna, four more in Dinsdale-Hamilton for similar crimes, and two in a Cambridge robbery. A criminal has been arrested. In Dunedin, three people have been arrested in multiple cases across the Otago region, and four more have been arrested in Christchurch to the north after fleeing a robbery.

Assistant Commissioner Chris de Wattignard said nearly all of the criminals arrested earlier this month were young people.

“When it comes to children and young people, the juvenile justice system aims to keep them out of the formal criminal system and at the same time hold them accountable.

“This is what enhances the value of our partnership with Oranga Tamariki in our Fast Track program. With this approach, when a child is identified or arrested by police for a criminal offence, that information is shared with Oranga Tamariki so that the child and child We will be able to respond to our urgent needs.

“From there, the child and Whanau complete their referrals to the multi-agency team and agree within 48 hours to an action plan developed by the team.

“Since December 2022, 230 referrals have been made through this process, but only 23 percent of those referred to teams at multiple government agencies from the fast track were referred again, indicating a rapid It shows the impact of strong support on reducing recidivism.”

De Wattignard said there have been some great recent examples of police retail crime prevention program security interventions helping to deter criminals, and the difference technology has made in catching criminals.

“Criminals in a stolen car went to a store to rob a store, and an employee activated the emergency alarm and mist sprayer, so they could only get snacks on the way back from the store. The pair drove to the next store, where they stole cigarettes, but fled again when the fog guns were activated, before city surveillance cameras caught the culprit, and police Eagle officials used automatic license plate recognition. When a camera was used to describe the getaway vehicle, police dogs stopped the vehicle and all four offenders were arrested.”

“Without this technology and crime prevention deterrent, criminals could have done more harm and not been caught sooner.

“Police are devoting all resources to addressing this type of crime from all angles. We recognize the impact this has on our communities and are determined to do our part.

“Our National Retail Investigative Support Unit (NRISU) is known for working to catch retail criminals who operate above the law. But that’s only part of the picture,” says Chris. says.

“They also work with retailers large and small around advice on prevention and what they can do for themselves. The example has made headlines in the media.

“The NRISU team has been working with Michael Hill around preventive advice, which has resulted in store and operation changes, an enhanced security footprint, and the prevention of several incidents. , the improved security measures introduced by Michael Hill led to the majority of criminals being caught and prosecuted.

“We are working on all sides of this effort with youth services, prevention, response and most importantly, our partners and communities.

“Recently, we, along with other agencies, met with business people from India to discuss retail crime prevention. knows.”

Note to media

Retail Security Program Updates:

As of July 6, installations have been approved at a total of 631 stores that have been subjected to ramming attacks or aggravated robberies. Of these, 472 stores have completed installation.

As of July 6, a total of 2,795 safety interventions have been approved and allocated to contractors for targeted forced raids and aggravated robbery stores. Of these, a total of 1,987 security interventions were completed and billed by contractors. This includes 448 fog cannons, 356 security sirens, 410 alarms, 388 CCTV systems or system upgrades, 113 bollards or similar security measures, 113 roller doors and lighting Ninety-nine other interventions including improved or enhanced windows are included.

*Police Youth Service (PYS) – referral to PYS for interventions including warnings, referrals to Te Pae Oranga Rangatahi Panel, alternative measures such as referrals to other community providers and family group meetings .

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Published by Police Media Center.