Sergeant David Knowles and four officers are now regularly patrolling the streets of Hoon Hay.
The move comes after Senior Sergeant Roy Appley made a commitment to increase the police presence in the suburb after a community meeting in which residents raised concerns about crime and safety in the area, particularly young people disturbing the peace, as well as vehicle thefts and burglaries.
Senior Sergeant Appley said since police started patrolling the streets more often, he has noticed a decrease in this type of crime and behaviour.
"It’s been my impression that there’s been less of those community problems," Senior Sergeant Appley said.
"There are still some issues around that general Hoon Hay shopping area . . . some more minor disorder matters still occurring around that shopping centre, which is still concerning,” he said.
Police will now be able to pay closer attention to the shopping centre and the concerns of shop owners, he said.
The extra police will travel from their base at the Hornby Police Station to Hoon Hay.
Senior Sergeant Appley said another sergeant and seven officers from either the Christchurch Central or Christchurch South police stations could also be in Hoon Hay from this week.
In addition to this, 12 of the 70 people at the crime and safety meeting have signed up for community patrol groups.
Hoon Hay Community Association chairman Alastair Berney said while he was not sure what impact more policing has had on the suburb, he has seen some promising signs.
"As far as I know, there hasn’t been all that much crime during the holidays," he said.
"But that’s only going on that I just haven’t seen anything go on Facebook or anything like that.
“I have seen one or two more police cars going up and down the road,” he said.
Sarah Clapp, who works on Hoon Hay Rd, said having police in the suburb more regularly is a good thing, but she hopes community watch groups will also play a role in reducing their workload.
“The average kid causing trouble, we need community groups doing it,” she said.
