Police roster changes cutting crime

Police resources could be targeted to the rowdier days of the week in the extension of a trial that has had a big impact on crime in South Auckland.

Since November, Counties-Manukau police have used the first of their intake of an extra 119 officers on days when there are usually higher levels of offending.

The Government says the "common sense" approach could be used nationwide to the same effect.

A second police trial in the Waitemata district and aimed at low-level offending has led to a 10 per cent drop in arrests and has been rolled out to the rest of Auckland.

"This might seem like simple common sense, but [on] Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights you have more police on than you would on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday," Police Minister Judith Collins said.

"One challenge this year is to embed that throughout the country."

She could not say when that would start because the initiative was still in its early stages.

Counties Manukau district commander Superintendent Mike Bush said police had tried to target resources before but had never had the resources to do it well.

"The extra staff have had a major impact in decreasing crime.

"One of our goals here was to improve the visibility of police and give assurance to the public."

In December, officers had patrolled crime hotspots for 446 more hours than in the same month in 2008, resulting in a drop in street and business robberies.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor welcomed the roll-out, but cautioned that it had to be properly resourced.

"Everyone is positive about it and people feel like they're making a difference, actually getting on top of things rather than just holding back the tide.

"There's been clever use of staff, but the roll-out nationwide will need to be accompanied by additional officers, otherwise we're just moving the deck chairs around."

Labour police spokesman Clayton Cosgrove had similar reservations.

"Given that the Government has required a $21 million cut from police, does that mean that there will be a lesser service on other days ... and they are going to be starved of resources?"

Mr Cosgrove said it was "common sense" to use more resources when they were needed, and it was something police already did.

"I don't quite see where the great innovation is. It's like a business that has more staff on when there is a greater demand."

Ms Collins said the reduction in arrests in the Waitemata trial had eased pressure on the court system.

"For low-level offending where there is little potential for recidivism, we're trying to establish more of the old-country-cop, common-sense approach to those 19-year-olds being a bit naughty or disruptive - too many hormones - and giving him a night in the cells and then taking him home to mum and dad with his tail between the legs, rather than going through the courts.

"Some say it's a bit soft but I think it's sensible policing, using discretion wisely," the minister said.

Mr O'Connor agreed it had had positive results. "The court process only gets a $100 fine anyway, and tends to be a waste of everybody's time."

The trial will be re-evaluated in April, when a national roll-out will be considered.

CRACKING DOWN

Dec 2009 compared to Dec 2008:

* 144 more hours of foot patrolling.
* 236 more calls attended for suspicious behaviour.
* 330 more calls to disorder-related incidents.
* 863 extra bail checks.
* 2494 more vehicle stops.