Burglaries decline in most of Auckland

Crime statistics released this week revealed that burglaries nationally decreased by 3.4 per cent in the year ending June 30. Photo / Thinkstock

Auckland CBD and parts of Counties Manukau bucked the trend and number of reported offences increased

The number of burglaries across Auckland fell in the last year - but how did your suburb rate?

Crime statistics released this week revealed that burglaries nationally decreased by 3.4 per cent in the year ending June 30.

In the wider Auckland area, burglaries were down by 2.6 per cent. In 2011/12 there were 21,259 burglaries reported in the city compared with 21,820 in 2010/11.

While the city as a whole recorded a decrease, burglaries in some areas rose.

The Herald has broken the figures down by police district and sub-area in a bid to show residents how many burglaries were reported in their area and whether the was more or fewer than last year.

The Auckland City district saw a decrease, but there were more burglaries in its central subdistrict - essentially the CBD - than last year.

In Waitemata, burglaries were down across the board with decreases in all three subdistricts - the North Shore, Waitakere and Rodney.

In the Counties-Manukau district burglaries were up 6 per cent, but down in the western and central suburbs.

District commander Superintendent John Tims said targeting and reducing burglaries and property crime was a key priority for the year ahead.

"We have especially focused on repeat offenders, locations and victims," he said.

"Anecdotally, this has resulted in the first two months of this fiscal year seeing a decrease compared to last year.

"We will to continue to prevent burglaries and, in turn, prevent residents from becoming victims of crime."

He could not provide any figures for the start of this year. They will be released at the end of the 2012/13 fiscal year.

But he assured residents in his district that police were committed to preventing crime before it occurred, and "to ensure all residents can be safe and feel safe".

Waitemata district commander Superintendent Bill Searle said the result in his area was "pleasing". The Herald understands burglaries are also continuing to track down for the 2012/13 year.

"Intelligence-led tasking and coordination has been influential in reducing the rate in this category," Mr Searle said.

"Burglary and break-and-enter offences are down 11.5 per cent."

Burglaries in Auckland City fell 3.3 per cent this year and district spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said a lot of work had been done on prevention in a bid to keep reducing property crime.

"A district Facebook profile has also been added to the mix of communication tools that staff are using to convey prevention messages and advice."

Schools, shops prime targets

While houses remained the No 1 target for burglars, other buildings and public places were also hit hard.

Police crime statistics revealed the number of burglaries reported at banks, pharmacies, schools and educational institutions, service stations, offices, medical centres, hospitals and shops or supermarkets.

In Auckland City there were 8639 burglaries in total. Of those, 297 were school burglaries, 38 service stations, 376 offices, 39 doctors' clinics, nine hospitals and 642 retail stores.

Waitemata had a total of 5309 burglaries, with 209 at warehouses or factories, 72 in public places, 353 in shops and 66 liquor outlets.

Counties Manukau topped the districts with 7312 burglaries in total. There were 328 burglaries or break-ins reported at schools, 115 at offices, 132 in public places and 326 at shops and supermarkets.