Wanted on warrant? Sort it out or face Christmas clink warn Waikato Police

Those people needing to change their bail conditions or who are wanted on warrants to arrest need to contact the Courts or Police least they run the risk of spending Christmas in custody is the message from Waikato Police today.

Waikato Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Chris Page, said the call comes after the completion of the District's phase of a combined operation involving Police across the lower North Island.

Known as Operation Safe Home the focus of the officers involved was targeting recidivist dishonesty and violent offenders wanted on existing warrants to arrest in the aim of disrupting criminal activity in the build up to Christmas.

"In all Police in Hamilton visited 22 properties and arrested 10 people including nine on existing warrants to arrest.

"In addition Western Waikato Police carried out searches of two Huntly properties resulting in the arrest of two people on cannabis and receiving charges as well as for outstanding warrants."

Involving staff from the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central, Eastern and Wellington Police Districts Op Safe Home aimed to send a clear message to offenders that they needed to adhere to court imposed sanctions, pay outstanding fines and sought out warrants to arrest.

"It's a case of if you don't, we will and we can appear anywhere at any time.

"Offenders should not be surprised about a high profile policing presence as we seek to make residents' homes safer over Christmas as we have applied a Regional approach to crime issues earlier in the year with some success."

In addition to addressing the immediate problem of recidivist offenders Waikato Police are also putting out the message that home owners can help Police by target hardening their homes.

"Over the past week there has been about 60 residential burglaries in Hamilton and many of them have been of houses where the occupants are home but have left doors and windows open or gone out and left their dwellings unsecured.

"This is an inviting target for opportunist burglars, on Monday we received a burglary complaint from a woman who was in the shower when a burglar got in through a window and removed a television from the wall."

Some of the most effective ways of protecting your home are also the simplest such as having someone look after your home while you're away or clearing your letter box.

"Getting to know your neighbours also helps, make a point of introducing yourself to your neighbours and consider setting up a Neighbourhood Support Group.

"Think how you're going to get rid of your Christmas rubbish, by leaving packaging on the road you're advertising what you got for Christmas, consider taking packaging to a recyclers. If you need further advice contact your nearest Community Policing Office."

Police are currently using social networking to assist in the fight against crime with a community safety video now available on Youtube. ;

The video follows an experienced Police officer doing a walk through a house pointing out crime prevention tips and things householders can do to better secure their properties and is available via; http://www.police.govt.nz/protecting-your-stuff

One of the most effective means of protecting your neighbourhood this summer is by ensuring Police know about suspicious activity, never assume they already know and if you see something amiss ring 111.

Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 111.

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