A spike in home break-ins in Tauranga south has led police to boost staff numbers in the area in an attempt to crack down on the crime surge.
There were almost 100 more residential burglaries in the Greerton Police Station area in 2008 than the year before, a trend that has emerged in four out of six Western Bay policing areas. The Greerton station covers Tauranga south.
Crime statistics released to the Bay of Plenty Times this week show an overall increase in burglaries of 3.1 per cent, although that figure included commercial burglaries.
House burglaries alone rose 32.2 per cent in Tauranga south, increasing from 295 burglaries in 2007 to 390 in 2008.
Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Mike Clement said four staff were being shifted to Tauranga south.
Three youth aid officers and a youth education officer would be moved from the Durham St office to Tauranga south station.
Mr Clement said the move would allow them to work more closely with staff focusing on Tauranga south.
He said it was clear there was a problem with home burg laries, adding it was a priority for police.
``I do acknowledge that there is an issue there, and we're working away on it,' he said.
``Unfortunately it's not as important as homicide and rape and some of those other seri ous crimes, and when you get a few of those, by necessity, you have to shift your focus.'
Tauranga Moana Victim Support co-ordinator Claire Montague said burglary stole more than belongings from victims.
``Initial emotional symptoms of burglary victims include fear, anger, guilt, resentment, shame, grief, and mood swings. These symptoms are similar to those of victims of assault, rape, and other violent crimes,' she said.
She said the feeling of vio lation could lead victims to wash all of their clothes after a burglar had rummaged through them.
``In a third of adults, sleeplessness and anxiety lingered for months after the break-in, but children can be especially shaken by the experience.'
Ms Montague said it was important as a victim supporter to assist with any insurance problems without presenting an, ``insurance will take care of it' attitude.
``Insurance does not make it right,' she said.
``Often there is the loss of items which are not of much material value, but are price less from the standpoint of treasured mementos and photographs. These are irreplace able.'
Police had also met locals at the Merivale Community Centre, following the release of Positive and Proud study that showed the community wanted to make changes. Mr Clement said police and the centre had come up with an action plan to help make the community safe.
Police were also launching a police service centre at the Welcome Bay shops to make them visible and work closely with the community.
Police National Headquarters media relations manager Jon Neilson stressed the importance of reporting burg laries and said one report could provide the crucial piece of information police were looking for.
Mount Maunganui was not far behind Greerton, with a 26 per cent increase from 196 burglaries to 247 last year.
Mr Clement said that during the past few years, burglaries in Mount Maunganui had dropped significantly, but last year they had increased.
Burglaries also rose slightly in Tauranga, increasing from 351 to 399 _ a 13.7 per cent jump _ and Katikati burglaries grew by 5 in 2008 from 70 to 75.
The only two areas that recorded a decrease in burglaries were Te Puke and Papamoa.
Te Puke dropped 11.5 per cent from 165 burglaries in 2007 to 146 burglaries in 2008 and in Papamoa numbers dropped 6.3 per cent from 144 to 135.
The resolution rate for burglaries was also quite low, Mr Clement admitted, with Tauranga south's resolution rate at 26.2 per cent.
Mount Maunganui fared even worse with a 17.8 per cent resolution rate, and Katikati had a resolution rate of 18.7 per cent.
Tauranga had a resolution rate of 23.6 per cent.
``While I'm not ashamed of the clearance rate for burglaries, we'd like to do better.
``We'd like to catch more,' Mr Clement said.
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