Community engagement key in reducing Riccarton burglary numbers

The number of burglaries in Riccarton West decreased by 58% between 2011 and 2015, and Police say community engagement has played a huge part in the remarkable reduction.

When the Riccarton Neighbourhood Policing Team began operating in the area in October 2011, the community identified burglary as one of their key issues. There were around 100 burglaries a year – an extremely high number given there are only around 900 homes in the area. 2008 was a particularly bad year, with 130 burglaries reported.

Since 2011, the Neighbourhood Policing team has supported the community to put in place a number of initiatives. These include the establishment of a community garden, an annual community fun day, a weekly community boot camp, a fortnightly community café and a weekly sports afternoon for local children. Street clean-up days have been held, along with student-run information days and UV property-marking sessions.

Local landlords have also assisted with distributing information, and community welcome packs are provided to new residents.

There has also been a large increase in the number of Neighbourhood Support Group memberships.

The latest initiative – a collaboration between Police and the local community patrol - is the development of a sign that residents can use after a burglary has occurred. As well as advising residents that an offence has occurred, the sign encourages the reporting of any suspicious behaviour and serves as a reminder to be security-conscious. It will also be a pointed message to would-be offenders that their presence in unwelcome and residents are not easy targets.

The significant decrease in the number of burglaries - and crime in general – in Riccarton West is a tribute to the community-led action taken by the residents.

They have provided a great example to other neighbourhoods of how community ownership and pride can be one of the greatest tools to crime reduction.

ENDS

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