New programme set to combat theft in Christchurch schools

[Joint statement with BNZ]
As part of the ongoing battle against school property crime in communities across New Zealand, BNZ is launching its Safer Schools programme in Christchurch, distributing theft deterrent kits to local schools today.

BNZ has joined forces with the New Zealand Police, Crimestoppers and SelectaDNA to donate kits worth $150 each to Canterbury and South Island schools as part of a wider programme to help make New Zealand communities safer.
SelectaDNA is an invisible solution which contains a unique DNA sequence that can be applied to almost anything, including laptops and other expensive equipment. If the item is stolen, Police can identify the owner through a “DNA test” or through microdots visible under a microscope.

Owen Loeffellechner, head of enterprise security, BNZ says, “Following the successful North Island programme, BNZ Safer Schools is now being rolled out throughout the South Island, beginning in Christchurch today. We’re really looking forward to seeing the positive impact it has on the local school community.”

The high-tech solution that works as a deterrent to criminals has proved a remarkable success in the areas in which it was distributed and trialled.

Schools in West Auckland saw a drop of 73.9% in crime relating to financial institutions over a 24 month period. And in Randwick Park, a suburb in South Auckland, schools saw a dramatic 61% drop in burglaries during a six month trial of SelectaDNA.

Canterbury Police District Commander, Superintendent Gary Knowles says, "We're delighted to be partnering with BNZ, Crimestoppers and SelectaDNA. Police are seeing too many of our schools being burgled too often - and every time a school is targeted the whole community suffers.

"Initiatives like Safer Schools are a perfect fit with our Prevention First policing model - which is all about dealing with crime before it happens and stopping people from becoming victims of crime,” he says.

SelectaDNA kits will also be distributed to local schools on Thursday between 13:30-14:30 at the Rangiora Police Station and again on Friday 7 June between 10:30-11:30 at the Timaru Police Station.

Ends

PHOTO DETAILS:

- Susan Jennison, principal of Burwood School, with Superintendent Gary Knowles, taking a first-hand look at the SelectaDNA system.

- (Group shot, L-R) Sergeant Andrea Dahl, Youth Services Coordinator, Canterbury Police; Jean Martin, Regional Director Southern, Ministry of Education; Owen Loeffellechner, head of enterprise security, BNZ; David Morrissey, Director, SelectaDNA.



Notes to Editor:
About SLS Security Group / SelectaDNA (NZ) Ltd:

SLS Security has been in the New Zealand security industry for over 20 years and boasts a portfolio of blue chip clients nationwide. SelectaDNA is the newest addition to the stable at SLS, and completes the range of products and services already available from the group.

Originating in the UK, SelectaDNA first emerged in 2004 from established property marking company SelectaMARK plc. Since then, SelectaDNA has helped homeowners, businesses and schools protect their property, marking millions of valuable items in the process. Trials across the globe have seen SelectaDNA significantly reduce the rates of burglary and theft.

SelectaDNA was launched in 2009 in a 1000 home pilot in Randwick Park, Manurewa, Auckland. Incidents of burglary and theft were reduced by 61.8% in 6 months after the deployment of SelectaDNA. For more information visit www.selectadna.co.nz.

About the BNZ Safer Schools Programme
The Safer Schools Programme aims to reduce burglary rates in schools. Using the SelectaDNA product and highly visible warning stickers, these educational facilities become a “No-Go-Zone” for thieves.

Safer Schools is funded by Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) and operates in partnership with the New Zealand Police under Operation SNAP. With collaboration from both Crimestoppers, Ministry of Education, and SelectaDNA the programme has been running since August 2010.

This channel provides the BNZ a platform whereby Store Managers attend schools at a local level and engage with the community for a common good. The school benefits from a free SelectaDNA kit and this is associated with direct media attention around school burglary issues. The resulting crime reduction is a win for all stakeholders.

Since that time the programme has been progressively rolled out into geographically boundaried areas, and to date there are over 1800 schools now protected with SelectaDNA. In Rotorua, the first district to receive the kits, a 45% reduction in burglary was recorded in five months from its introduction in December 2009.