Eagle helicopter joins two-month police operation against Christchurch youth crime

The crime-fighting Eagle helicopter will be hovering above Christchurch in the coming months as part of a new operation targeting youth offending.

Canterbury police began a two-month operation today to target and disrupt youth-related offending in the Garden City.

The helicopter, usually based in Auckland, will be temporarily deployed to Christchurch from tomorrow and “utilised on occasion throughout” the operation.

The police Eagle helicopter will be temporarily deployed to Christchurch from tomorrow. Photo / NZME

“Police are using all available resources to tackle the recent rise in youth crime,” Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said.

“In addition to Eagle’s deployment, we’re also boosting the capability of the Youth Targeting Team with extra staff.”

There has been a recent spike in ram raids and violent robberies across Christchurch.

Earlier this week, a teenager was arrested after an Opawa dairy owner was seriously injured in an armed robbery.

The 14-year-old was arrested at a Woolston address about 3.45pm after investigators traced the crime back to the property.

“Serious offences should be met with serious consequences, and we want our community to know that we are bringing in every available resource to help keep them safe,” Hill said today.

“We understand there is a lot of frustration among the community following recent offending, and we hear you.”

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill. Photo / George Heard

Hill said the operation aimed to “disrupt offending patterns, hold offenders to account and deter any further offending”

Police were aware of the impact crime had on business owners and their staff.

“Nobody should turn up to work in fear of becoming the next victim of this violent offending.

“Our message to the youths involved is simple: you can expect action to be taken if you are committing offences.”

Police would continue to work with several partner agencies to prevent any further harm to the community.

Hill urged anybody who witnessed any criminal offending to contact police by calling 111 if it was happening now, or 105 if it was after the fact.