Shoplifting, binge drinking focus of police Christmas crackdown
Monday, 11 December 2023
Police will out in increased numbers across the Wellington region these holidays in an attempt to bring down expected increases in shoplifting and holiday drinking.
High-profile areas to have additional officers on the beat include the Wellington CBD, Cobham Court in Porirua, Upper Hutt Mall and Wairarapa’s roads and beaches.
In Wellington, there would be a focus on combating a rise in expected retail crime and binge drinking, Inspector Jason McCarthy, Wellington Area Prevention Manager said.
It comes after The Post reported a Featherston St sushi shop owner and her husband were assaulted trying to prevent ongoing thefts. Appy Jiang was punched repeatedly by an female offender believed to be just 13. When her husband went outside to help, he too was attacked, his face and neck scratched.
Retail crime continues to rise in central Wellington, with offenders in their young teens regularly observed stealing food from restaurants.
The Post previously reported the central city was experiencing a rapid rise in shoplifting, with the area undergoing nearly four times the amount of retail theft compared to a decade ago as of March.
Operation Māhi Ngātahi – tackling retail crime and antisocial behaviour resulting from binge drinking alcohol – is a top priority this summer, according to police.
McCarthy said areas around Manners St and Te Aro Park would be the focus in Wellington, as it had different challenges depending on the time of day.
With an increase in Christmas shoppers and more young people out and about, the operation was part of police’s contribution to the Pōneke Promise initiative and to keep central Wellington safe.
“We know from previous years that this approach works. It helps people feel safe and retail crime drop,” McCarthy said.
The operation will run during retail hours Monday to Friday and end on Christmas Eve.
In Porirua, the pop-hub on Cobham Court every Tuesday morning was a way for the police to have a visible presence in the city.
Prevention Manager Inspector Owen Maurirere said this was part of the “high-visibility community-centric approach” police would be taking in Porirua and Kāpiti.
“After a reasonably challenging year, we want to support our locals to have fun and be safe while they do so,” he said.
Checkpoints alongside roads would also be conducted at high-risk times and areas.
In Upper Hutt, the community team has started occupying a store in Upper Hutt Mall to engage with the local community.
Prevention Manager Inspector Shaun Lingard said staff were enjoying interacting with the Upper Hutt community.
“Retailers within the mall have told Police that shoplifting has reduced, and the presence of Police has enhanced their feelings of safety,” he said.
In Wairarapa, the population often swells as holidaymakers and motorists make the trip to the region to enjoy the sunny summer weather.
Relieving Wairarapa Prevention Manager Sergeant Steve Cameron said police would be providing a visible presence on roads and beaches.