MEDIA RELEASE

23 July 2003

Auckland City supports regional
approach to reduce crime

Today’s Law and Order Committee agreed to jointly fund a local authority position to work with police on regional projects aimed at improving public perceptions of safety and reducing crime in Auckland.

Chairperson of Auckland City’s Law and Order Committee, Councillor Noelene Raffills, says Auckland City is committed to working collaboratively with the region’s other local councils and the police.

At the end of last year, the Police Commissioner presented a report on Auckland to the Mayoral Forum. It proposed setting up a small high calibre team of people to look at long-term strategies for policing in Auckland as well as overseeing the development of a joint action plan with local government.

The three Police District Commanders have formed themselves into a Board of Management to consider and advance strategies at a regional level.

Councillor Raffills says no council staff member is available to second to the unit. Therefore Auckland’s councils have decided to jointly fund a local authority position that will be seconded to the unit to undertake the local authority work.

The unit’s first priority will be the scoping of regional projects to address violence, police resourcing issues and substance abuse, specifically methamphetamines, glue and alcohol.

Ends

Ref: BV

© Scoop Media