Police Beat: Clear signs public making stand

Hamilton police are crediting members of the public for the arrest of five offenders in two separate incidents this week and say it is a sign people are ready to make a stand to protect their neighbourhoods.

In the first incident, Hamilton tactical co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Freda Grace said a member of the public was woken by a strange noise about midnight but instead of rolling over and going back to sleep the person got out of bed to investigate.

"The person noticed people moving about a vacant Marshall St property and thought that was suspicious so they called 111.

"This allowed police to respond and on arrival officers found two 22-year-old men in the process of removing copper spouting from the outside of the home. Without the intervention of the neighbour this theft may have gone unnoticed for several days."

A short time later Flagstaff residents advised police of suspicious activity outside a North Hamilton kindergarten.

"It was about 1am when the 111 call came in and officers arrived to find two males, aged 19 and 21-years-old and a 17-year-old female on the deck outside a kindergarten. The trio were arrested and later released on pre-charge warning.

"While we don't know what the trio's intent was there is little doubt that the neighbours' actions of ringing 111 allowed us to intervene in a timely manner and prevented any potential criminal activity."

Ms Grace said actions like last night's showed simple interventions, such as local residents ringing 111, could make all the difference in preventing crime.

"You don't have to confront offenders and put yourself at risk, all you need to do is listen to your instincts. If something doesn't feel right it probably isn't and you should ring 111."