Police Notebook: Off duty police officer goes beyond call of duty

Crime never sleeps, and neither do police officers.

The quick thinking and swift action of an off-duty Rotorua police officer meant one elderly lady had her allegedly stolen handbag swiftly returned.

The women, who was walking down Fenton St on Sunday afternoon, allegedly had her handbag snatched from her arm by two female youths.

Rotorua police crime prevention manager Inspector Brendon Keenan said an off-duty police officer who witnessed the incident began following the offenders on foot.

He contacted his colleagues and waited for on-duty officers to arrive and apprehend the teenagers.

Keenan said the officer used quick thinking and did all the right things.

"It's good to see our officers don't switch off when they take off the uniform. He did the right thing and waited for back up to arrive."

More than 100 drivers caught speeding
Police have stopped 221 drivers in the past week for various offences.

Keenan said the drivers were stopped for a range of reasons, including being given tickets, summonsed to appear in court and given warnings.

A majority of those, 82 per cent, were stopped for reasons the police called the "fatal five". These are speeding, not wearing restraints, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while distracted and dangerous or careless driving.

A total of 181 of the drivers were stopped for speeding.

13 burglaries in Rotorua
There were 13 burglaries reported to Rotorua police at the weekend, including stolen vehicles.

The burglaries were widespread across Rotorua and included the theft of jewellery and electronic goods from a property in Pomare on Friday.

A property in Glenholme was also broken into on Friday through a rear window. A Playstation 4, television and laptop were stolen.

Keenan said there was also an increase in breaking and entering at commercial properties, mostly in the CBD, but also in the suburbs.

"Businesses need to be doing all they can to prevent themselves from being a target."

The commercial thefts were largely of cash and cigarettes, Keenan said.

Stolen cars

A silver 2013 trailer, registration W264C, taken on Thursday from Pomare.

A white 2007 Toyota Hilux, registration EFY817, taken on Wednesday from Murupara.

A silver 2015 Prescott trailer, registration 2M677, and a red 2017 Kymco motorcycle, without registration, taken from Ngakuru last Tuesday.

A green Mitsubishi RVR, registration BFW164, taken from Westlock Rd, Koutu on Sunday.