"We really do need to have more men and women in blue in the Bay. It's why Labour has promised 1000 more police in our first term. A major priority must be keeping our communities safe and putting the bad guys behind bars," he said.
Police Minister Judith Collins acknowledged that there was an increasing demand for police services, and said she had made it clear that in future the police would need more resources.
"I have been discussing demands for police services with my colleagues and the Prime Minister for some time. The Prime Minister has already said the Government will increase the number of police."
There had been an upturn in crime over the short term, she said.
"Much of this can be attributed to an increase in burglary. In August, police raised the priority level of house break-ins, moving it from volume crime category to priority offence category, with staff now expected to attend all dwelling burglaries."
The police, including those in the Eastern District, had her full confidence, she added.
Eastern District Commander Superintendent Sandra Venables said that about 70 per cent of the increase in total crime was a direct result of burglaries, and police had recently put more of a focus on this type of crime.
She said a review was to be undertaken shortly to assess the impact of this change of focus.
"As with any government department, we must work with what we have, and we will continue to prioritise our resources to where they are needed - something that police have been doing for some time as the needs of our communities change."
She urged people to visit the police website for advice on simple actions they could take to prevent their properties being targeted by opportunistic burglars.
Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said the simple fact was that there were not enough police, a stance endorsed by Local Government New Zealand who had prepared a remit and wrote to the police minister on September 12 asking for more police and resources.
LGNZ was still waiting for a response, he said.
"We need more resources, more people on the beat - that's the solution here."
He said he was hopeful that the Government would increase police numbers in the near future.
Napier mayor Bill Dalton said that rising crime was a real worry.
"I think police numbers are one of those things where there will never be enough. But greater presence and visibility of police on our streets is something that most residents of Napier would like to see."
In both Napier and Hastings crime prevention was assisted through tools such as CCTV cameras in problem areas.
The main thrust had to come from central government and from society as a whole, he said.
"We all have a responsibility to not be involved in crime, report crime and to assist the police in every way possible."