Northland District Headquarters
Walton Plaza, Whangärei
Thursday May 23, 2013

Police in Whangärei and Dargaville knocked on a few doors early this morning to catch up with a few people who had outstanding warrants.

The door knocking was part of Operation Fire Alarm, which aims to have police staff from many of the different workgroups out of the station and visible in the community in order to prevent crime and crash.

Thirty five staff from groups including Otangarei Neighbourhood Policing Team, Public Safety Teams (formerly known as frontline/general duties staff), Youth Services, Traffic Alcohol Group, non-sworn police employees, and District Senior Leaders.

This is the fourth time the operation has taken place and this time it focused on people who had 'warrants to arrest'.

Forty warrants were executed in Whangärei, resulting in 14 arrests.
Five warrants were executed in Dargaville, resulting in three arrests.
Along with the arrests, Police also came across a number of dogs that were in poor condition on a Tutamoe property and reported this to the SPCA.

Whangärei/Kaipara Area Commander Inspector Tracy Phillips says the operation targets volume crime offenders to reduce recidivist offending, which ultimately results in less victims of crime.

Ms Phillips says Police will continue to target those who have outstanding warrants and people who were not picked up today will still be paid a visit.

"This operation is a reminder to people with outstanding warrants to hand themselves in voluntarily rather than waiting for us to come knocking on their doors in the early hours."

ENDS

© Scoop Media