If you have court imposed sanctions, outstanding fines, are involved in criminal activity or assisting those who are, Waikato Police have a simple message for you, prepare to encounter us, anywhere- anytime.
Waikato Police District Commander, Superintendent Win van der Velde, said the call comes as Police review the results of a District wide crackdown on crime as part of the ongoing Operation Persil.
Restricted weapons, methamphetamine and cannabis selling operations, a clan lab and a variety of stolen goods were among the items uncovered by the Op Persil teams yesterday.
"Over the past three years Op Persil has been primarily focused around Hamilton and has accounted for over 350 arrests of dishonesty and violence offenders, those breaching bail or who have outstanding fines.
"Yesterday we expanded Persil to encompass the whole of the District and officers carried out warrants, searches and vehicle stops in Te Kuiti, Te Awamutu, Te Aroha, Huntly, Hamilton, Matamata and Morrinsville."
Mr van der Velde said the operation was all about preventing and disrupting criminal activity and strikes at the heart of offender behaviour.
"A lot of the warrants to arrest are for people breaching court imposed sanctions such as bail, our message to those people, their friends and family is adhere to these conditions or you can expect Police action, any time of the day.
"At the same time we are concentrating on the correlation between the illegal drug trade and the trade in stolen goods, people stealing your goods to fund their drug habits."
By saturating the District with staff a clear message is being sent to those deriving their income from crime.
"We call them criminal specialists, people who steal to make their money or who receive stolen goods and move them on in return for cash, drugs or other items.
Over 30 people were arrested and dozens of properties were searched, some alongside Court Bailiffs, while a number of roadside checkpoints were also undertaken checking vehicle and driver suitability to be on the road.
One Hamilton search conducted in Frankton highlighted the need for residents to record the serial numbers of valuables before they become victims of crime.
"About two months ago staff carried out a search of a property and located a number of electronic items they believed were stolen but there were no serial numbers recorded.
"Between then and now victims provided other information that confirmed our suspicions. These items were stolen so a second search was carried out yesterday and a stolen laptop computer was recovered, if Police had the serial numbers in the first instance the second search wouldn't have been necessary."
Mr van der Velde said too often Police staff recover electronics but have no way of proving the goods are stolen. They then have to return them to the offender.
"There's nothing more frustrating for us, but by recording your serial numbers there's an auditable trail and it makes it harder for offenders to move a stolen item from the black market to the legitimate one, it's about narrowing down the criminal's options."
"Using a variety of microdot markers available, etching or using serial number recording programs, such as Operation SNAP, which capture valuable information that helps Police locate, identify and return valuables to victims."
Operation SNAP (Serial Number Action Partnership) is a database used by owners who access the system from the i-Govt system that allows people to access their records from anywhere in the world, 24/7 and enable them to provide this information to Police and is available via; https://www.SNAP.org.nz
Some of yesterday's Op Persil results;
Hamilton;
• 14 arrests including...
• Two men arrested in a unit of an Ulster St Motel, one arrested for an existing warrant and charged with possession of a restricted weapon (taser), possession of methamphetamine for supply and possession of cannabis while the second man was charged with possession of a methamphetamine pipe.
• A man and a woman arrested at a Nawton home after a Police search of a suspected 'Tinnie house' in which six ounce bags of cannabis leaf material were recovered alongside about 30 pre-packaged tinfoil cannabis cigarettes. The male was charged with possession of cannabis for supply while the woman faces a charge of permitting premises to be used for the commission of a crime under the Misuse of Drugs act.
• The arrest of a man standing on the side of the road in Claudelands who was recognised as a person of interest to the Op Persil team. Found in possession of property from a burglary he had just committed he was arrested. The man was also wanted on 17 warrants to arrest.
Te Awamutu;
• Number of truants processed via Truancy Services,
• Two people arrested per warrants to arrest.
• One staff member of a local bar processed for excess breath alcohol
Morrinsville;
• Several warrants carried out with Court Bailiffs resulting in several people settling issues of outstanding fines
• Arrest of a 29-year-old woman after the discovery of two hydroponic growing rooms
at a rural Morrinsville property off SH27 in which 40 plants were found in one room and 10 in another.
Huntly- Ngaruawahia;
• Eight arrests including a 38-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man who arrived home to find Police uncovering a functioning methamphetamine lab at their west Ngaruawahia address. A considerable amount of Hypophosphorous was located at the property and both now face charges for possession of equipment and materials for hte manufacture of methamphetamine, further charges are likely.
Te Kuiti-Otorohanga;
• One man arrested and charged with possession of cannabis for supply following the search of a Te Kuiti property.
• Stolen property recovered during the search of a Te Kuiti address, on interviewing a man arrested at the property admitted responsibility for over 15 burglary related offences.
Mr van der Velde said yesterday's activities were only the start of the latest phase of Op Persil and the public can take some reassurance from the fact similar activities are planned.
"But it's not about the Police acting alone, we need the community's help.
"If you know of illegal activity going on we need you to report it, either to your nearest Police station, where your call will be treated with confidence, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
End
