Persil ups the agitation cycle on Hamilton offenders

Hamilton Police say a highly visible crime prevention operation conducted in the City yesterday is aimed at disrupting offenders' activities before people become victims.

  City Prevention Group Manager, Senior Sergeant Neil Faulkner, said the focus of the latest phase of Operation Persil was disrupting the activities of offenders in vulnerable areas of Hamilton during the day.   "Utilising information and data from within Police and from the public, we identified a number of areas of concern, both geographically and during specific hours of the day.    "In this case we've established a number of juveniles were linked to offending while victims are out at work, the key was to get out and about where these offenders are and disrupt their activities and prevent them making victims of others."   Mr Faulkner said while 52 properties were visited by Police, three search warrants were carried out at properties in the City while another was conducted at a Morrinsville address.   "At a Melville property the Waikato Armed Offenders squad assisted with the arrest of a man who was charged with possession of cannabis for supply and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.   "At another home, officers were searching for property stolen from a large Hamilton retail store when the two people there told them they couldn't fit those items in their clothing and then showed them items they had taken instead."   Police had a list of 12 people wanted in relation to breaching court imposed bail conditions and the properties linked to these people were among those visited.   "While a man sought at an Avalon Dr address wasn't home, another occupant of the house was and this man was arrested on methamphetamine charges. One would guess he wants to speak quite urgently with his flatmate about the importance of adhering to bail conditions least you attract Police attentions.   "Another way we can disrupt criminal activity is to set up highly visible booze bus check-points around vulnerable areas. As well as having stopping dozens of vehicles and interacting with motorists our Road Policing staff apprehended one man wanted on a warrant to arrest and impounded one vehicle."   Mr Faulkner said offenders need to realise the time had come to address their offending least they became washed up from the District wide focus of Operation Persil.   "Similar activities are taking place in Eastern and Western Waikato as we assign a whole of District approach to volume crime.   "Our advice to offenders is if they think they will get away with dishonesty offending- think again. With the public playing their part by relaying reports of suspicious activity their ability to remain undetected is quickly being removed."   Mr Faulkner said anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to call 111, alternatively information can be left with the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.  End