Cops battle crimewave as youths plague town

By CHRIS BRAMWELL in Taupo
Taupo police say they are battling a crimewave of "tsunami proportions" after an attempt to provide troubled youths with a new start in the town turned sour.

They claim a rash of burglaries and other crimes in the town is due to youths brought into the area by a local forestry contractor, with the help of Work and Income.

The department has defended the scheme, saying it was only trying to help the contractor, who was having problems finding workers, while also giving the at-risk youths a fresh start.

Work and Income spokeswoman Jane Mortlock confirmed the department had arranged work for 63 youths from Porirua and the Bay of Plenty with the forestry contractor between January 2002 and May last year.

Although Taupo police were not informed about the scheme, the department worked closely with the Taupo Work and Income service centre manager to resolve any issues once they were brought to its attention, she said.

But police remain angry they were not told about the scheme.

Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen said police were concerned the youths were staying on in Taupo after their work with the forestry contractor ended.

He said police had noticed an increase in offences since the youths had arrived.

It also appeared the youths were sharing their knowledge of crime with young people in the district.

"We are very upset that this situation has been allowed to occur. Several of these men have established themselves in town."

Taupo police have caught and prosecuted some of the youths, but others are still wanted. One, Paul Schuster, failed to turn up for a scheduled court appearance.

"I understand the concept of giving these people a fresh start, but it doesn't work," Mr Jeurissen said.

"They have got to solve their own problems in their own communities. They have added no value [to Taupo] and caused a lot of problems here."

Meanwhile, the forestry contractor at the centre of the row says he is unhappy that the scheme is no longer operating.

D Anderson Contractors owner Dean Anderson told The Daily Post he approached Porirua Work and Income in January 2002 because he could not find workers locally.

He received Job Plus subsidies for each person he employed and, in turn, provided a fulltime job, accommodation, help with getting equipment and an NZQA-recognised training package.

Mr Anderson said he had been struggling to find workers since Work and Income stopped sending its clients to him.

"The police frowned on it.

"They didn't like sending Wellington's problems up to Taupo but everyone needs a second chance in life and out of the 70 that came up at least 20 got something out of it.

"Some of them were good," he said.