Putting words into action drives a policing approach that has seen an 88 per cent drop in residential burglaries in one of Hamilton's most vulnerable areas.
City tactical co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Freda Grace says during the past two months there was a serious spike in the number of burglaries in Waikato with 99 during the weekend following Anzac Day - 78 in Hamilton.
"The following weekend this figure dropped to 33 as police looked at prevention and the worst affected areas," she says.
"One area to stand out is the triangle comprising Cameron, Old Farm and Knighton Rds around the University of Waikato which, because of its high level of transient renters, is a particularly vulnerable and attractive target for burglars."
Ms Grace says the vulnerability is primarily related to students sharing flats, moving on and a complacent attitude to security. "Rental occupancy is as high as 98 per cent on some streets in the area. When you consider each student comes to Hamilton with a laptop computer, a sound system, iPod, iPad and other easily transferable electronics then it's little wonder they fall prey to predators."