Kaikohe police are ramping up a campaign against criminals targeting homes and businesses in the Kaikohe area and the blitz is already paying off.
The campaign has led to the arrest of a 16-year-old thought to be involved in at least 10 burglaries and thefts targeting schools, service stations, cafes, homes and dairies.
The teen was allegedly also involved in a break-in at Trumps Cafe, which prompted owners Waa and Lorraine Whareaitu to quit their business because of the ongoing stress and cost caused by 17 burglaries in the past three years.
The youth was due to appear in the Kaikohe Youth Court yesterday. Police were planning to oppose bail. Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan, prevention officer for the Far North, said police were ramping up their targeting of thieves and burglars in Kaikohe.
"There has been an unacceptable number of offences and repeat victims. We're not going to put up with it and we're committed to sorting it out," he said.