'Targeting people in a crisis is abhorrent': Police crackdown on crime in cyclone-hit Hawke's Bay
Targeting people in a crisis is abhorrent and police are not tolerating it, we’re not tolerating it," Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park says.
“If anyone takes advantage of other people’s misery during this crisis, our officers will investigate. This offending is low at the best of times."
Police operating in flood-affected areas of the Eastern District (Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti) are carrying out reassurance patrols day and night following Cyclone Gabrielle, as more officers are deployed to assist.
Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park says more than 100 additional officers have been brought into the district, including to areas that have been cut off.
“We have extra officers from across the country who are working in with colleagues from Civil Defence, the Defence Force, and other responding agencies, to help Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.
“We understand people are worried, and Police have significantly increased staffing levels to provide reassurance."
Park says the addition of the Police Eagle helicopter is a hugely valuable asset to protecting our communities and enhancing the response capability.
The Eagle helicopter is equipped with technology that not only assists the Civil Defence response, but will also help officers track and locate offenders, or vehicles of interest.
“People are hurting, many are still without power, and or are unable to go home.
"Part of our response is being on the streets and in vulnerable areas, deterring the people who want to take advantage of this disaster.”
Between Tuesday, February 14 and this morning (February 18), officers have logged 992 prevention jobs that include providing public reassurance, patrols and vehicle stops in Hawke’s Bay.
In Tairāwhiti, during this time, 482 prevention jobs, including public reassurance work, reassurance patrols, and vehicle stops, have been carried out.
Park says communities will continue to have a very visible police presence.
“We urge people to keep reporting suspicious behaviour or crime. The sooner we hear about it, the faster we can respond.”
She said she was immensely proud of their officers and the partner agencies they are working alongside, particularly as a number of those on duty have also been affected by the cyclone.
If you witness criminal activity or behaviour that is unsafe, call 111 as soon as possible with as much detail as you can. Incidents can be reported after the fact via 105.
