British recruits won't fix police shortage

The chronic shortage of police in Greater Auckland will continue despite the arrival of some British bobbies on the beat, says National's Police spokesman Tony Ryall.

"Aucklanders have heard all this before. Every six months, the Police Minister promises everything will be fine - in another six months. Understandably, Auckland citizens are now a little sceptical of George Hawkins' promises.

"This Government's policies on police have become little more than a grab bag of PR stunts and patch-up jobs This latest one, recruiting police from Britain, is just another example of the Government's spin on law and order.

"The fact is police numbers in Greater Auckland are shameful. George Hawkins has known for three years that Auckland police were struggling - with violent crime on the rise and less than one in ten burglaries actually solved in the city.

"What's needed is a new approach, not a stop-gap measure. An approach that would focus police on crime prevention through a strong presence in the community," says Mr Ryall

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