Media release

Newmarket Police

Newmarket Business Association

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Retail district’s key crime falls, bucking the trend this recession

Auckland’s leading retail district is reporting a 22% reduction in its higher volume crime categories over the past 12 months, with local Police and the Newmarket Business Association attributing some of the success to a network of CCTV security cameras installed a year ago.

“This is an impressive result when you consider the difficult economic times. For the year 1 May 2008 to 30 April 2009, compared to the previous year, volume crime in Newmarket fell by 22% - that’s theft from people, theft from cars, and theft from shops. These figures show that CCTV can make a real difference,” says Newmarket’s officer in charge, Senior Sergeant Wendy Spiller.

Twelve months ago the Newmarket Business Association launched what it described as a first for New Zealand - a network of state-of-the-art wireless security cameras watching over its streets. The cameras are used in conjunction with Newmarket Security guards who patrol the streets and who are in radio contact with monitoring personnel inside the Newmarket Police Station.

“This is a truly unique public-private partnership. Never before has a wireless CCTV system been done on this scale in a New Zealand town centre. Because it’s delivering the results, we're now about to add more cameras to the project," says Cameron Brewer, general manager of the Newmarket Business Association.

"Given we’re in an economic recession we would expect crime to track up but I suspect Newmarket is one of the few places in New Zealand where reported crime has fallen over the past 12 months. In most part we can put this 12 month success down to our one year old CCTV project. Critics told us it wouldn’t make a difference. Well, we’ve now got official Police figures that clearly show the proof is in the pudding,” says Mr Brewer.

“Congratulations to the Newmarket Business Association. The project has had a very successful first year. The Newmarket CCTV system is proving to be a great tool in helping prevent crime, detect offenders and gather evidence. It is assisting the community in so many ways,” says Ms Spiller.

“This actually gives us a competitive edge when it comes to attracting customers, new businesses and investment, as well as looking after the personal safety of our employees. It sends out a very positive signal about Newmarket,” says Mr Brewer.

Cameron Brewer says other business associations, local councils, and police districts are now looking into Newmarket’s CCTV model given its success.  

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