Police weekend crackdown targets central Auckland crime

Vehicle and property crime in central Auckland will be under the microscope this weekend as police crack down in the district.

A special operation running from early Friday morning until early Sunday morning will address concerns around criminals from other regions travelling into the city to commit offences.

Inspector Vaughn Graham said an extra 80 officers will be manning road checkpoints, patrolling high-risk areas and monitoring train stations and public transport hubs.

“We know that a lot of our criminals are easily mobile in terms of their road use because, as well as having plenty of our own crooks within the district, we also have a lot from outside,” he said.

Mr Graham said police will be looking for stolen cars and vehicles driven by “persons of interest” as more people from outside the city travelled there to commit crimes.

“We want to send a clear message to criminals that if they’re coming into our district to commit crimes, then we will be ready and waiting for them,” he said. “We know that a large number of property crime offences in particular are committed by criminals who come into the city at weekends.”

Known burglary hotspots — in both residential and commercial areas — would also be a focus, Mr Graham said.

The operation would also work with Transdev Auckland — the company that operates the passenger rail network — to improve security, target known offenders and stop any would-be offenders.

“Checkpoints will also be set up throughout the city so drivers committing other offences, like drink-driving, should also be aware that they will be caught.”

Mr Graham said the larger police presence has had positive results in the past.

“What we know from previous operations is that it does have a significant impact on reducing volume crime.”

The Auckland City police district runs between Herne Bay to the north, St Heliers to the east, Onehunga to the south and Avondale to the west and includes Waiheke and Great Barrier islands.