The Riccarton West Neighbourhood Policing Team has been in place since January 2012 with a focus on the prevention of crime and working with the community to address community concerns.
The Team have been active in following up reported incidents, working on prevention intervention plans, collaborating with and supporting residents of their community which has lead to an overall reduction in crime and calls to Police.
Sergeant Steve Jones from the Riccarton Neighbourhood Policing Team said there have been very good results achieved in the Riccarton West area with substantial reductions in crime and calls to Police. We have also seen good increases in community involvement and ownership with the establishment of a number of initiatives.
“The development of Neighbourhood Support Groups, a Community Garden, the Community Newsletter and organisation of a Community Fun Day are just some of the activities which have created positive interactions and involvement across the whole community, “Mr Jones said.
The large reduction in calls for Police service has allowed the Riccarton West Neighbourhood Policing Team to expand the area it is working in while continuing to support current projects and partnerships.
“The team will continue to work and support the current residents of the existing Riccarton West area and ensure that community ownership and connectivity continues.
The team are also very keen to get involved with the residents and groups in this wider Riccarton area to understand their concerns, identify interventions and build collaborative relationships that will help this community grow and experience the same reductions in crime,” Mr Jones said.
From mid July 2014 the Neighbourhood Policing Team will expand to cover the Riccarton area between Riccarton Road and Blenheim Road from Matipo Street to Deans Avenue. (NB: Westfield Mall and the commercial area long Riccarton Road are not included as they require specific policing requirements that are better suited to other policing interventions).
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Issued by Mere Wilson, Senior Media Advisor, PNHQ