The highly successful Dunedin Neighbourhood Policing team has expanded its area of operation three-fold in the South Dunedin area.
Led by Sergeant Trevor Thomson and based at the South Dunedin Police Station, the team achieved a 48% reduction in reported crime in the areas bounded by Hillside Rd, Surrey St, Bayview Rd and Andersons Bay Rd in the past two years.
Over Christmas, the Neighbourhood Policing team's area of influence was increased to incorporate the areas bounded by the Southern Motorway in Caversham, Forbury Rd, Victoria Rd, Queen's Drive, Portobello Rd, and Portsmouth Dr - a three-fold increase in size and a much larger population.
''We have gone from working with a population of 2900 people to just under 20,000 people,'' Sgt Thomson said.
''These are exciting times for us. It is a challenge for the guys to take on a larger area and to work on reducing crime and enhancing the wellbeing of the community.
''In the past two years, with a lot of hard work, we have managed some outstanding results, so we will be aiming to continue that,'' he said.
The Neighbourhood Policing team, which comprises Sgt Thomson and five staff, focuses its efforts on road policing, family violence, youth issues, and dishonesty offending - including burglaries, with the firm aim of crime prevention.
The team is one of 34 Neighbourhood Policing teams throughout New Zealand, including one each in Dunedin and Invercargill.
Along with community policing, team members also help to lead community bike rides and school cycle training, in conjunction with the Dunedin City Council, work with the BASE trial on youth issues, and liaise closely with Neighbourhood Support Otago and other community, educational and health organisations across South Dunedin.
''We have a community panel which meets every two months to go over specific issues in the community, so we can see what needs to be actioned - that's the beauty of having our [community] partners so close,'' Sgt Thomson said.
''And we work very closely with the DCC, who have a real focus on uplifting South Dunedin.''
The South Dunedin area was home to a diverse, multi-cultural population, with a wide range of socio-economic status. There were a large number of schools in the area, including King's and Queen's high schools, Carisbrook, Bathgate and St Clair schools, and 14 preschools.
''We have a huge amount of families and youth in this area, and working with youth is a major focus for us,'' Sgt Thomson said.
The Neighbourhood Policing team is also involved in wider policing duties across Dunedin, including sporting and social events and night-time on-the-beat work in the central city.
Along with the Neighbourhood Policing team, South Dunedin Police Station is also home to the Police Dog Unit and the Traffic Unit, as well as Neighbourhood Support Otago.
- Brenda Harwood
