A new information line was launched in Oamaru yesterday,
after being developed with the support of young people in the
district.
People will be able to call or text information about
offending or antisocial behaviour, or send photographs, to
0800 PO PO Waitaki (0800 76 76 92).
The idea grew after Senior Constable Ross Lory received text
messages giving information about the thefts, from an Oamaru
business in September, of clothing and footwear.
Six schoolgirls bragged at school about the thefts, which
angered other pupils, who contacted police. Yesterday, Senior
Sergeant Jason McCoy said the number of texts received over
that incident showed such a system would work.
He stressed it was an information line, and if people needed
to get in touch with police, they should still call 111 in
the case of an emergency, or the police station.
The cellphone would be checked daily.
Waitaki community safety officer Alison Banks said young
people thought it was a fantastic idea, as many were not
happy about the behaviour of other youths and it was a way
they could pass on information without fear of retaliation.
It was also a matter of moving with the times - young people
now used texting and cellphones to communicate, she said.
