Police and army to patrol quake areas

File photo / Herald on Sunday

Ten teams of police and army will patrol earthquake-stricken areas in Christchurch 24 hours a day to ward off burglars.

The extra patrols would give an "intense police presence" and will be on top of normal policing, Canterbury Superintendent Commander Dave Cliff said.

The teams consisting of two police and two army staff would deter burglars from taking advantage of empty houses and give reassurance to homeowners.

Police had stopped known burglars who wore hi-visibility vests to get into quake-affected areas so the extra patrols, many with dogs, would send a message to would-be thieves.

And a group who sought shelter at a welfare centre for earthquake victims had now been turned away after it was revealed there was no damage to their home.

- NZPA