5:24 pm today

'Unprecedented' spate of violent crime and police shortages hit Northland

From Checkpoint, 5:24 pm today

An "unprecedented" spate of violent crimes coupled with a significant police shortage in Northland means dozens of officers are being sent to the region on rotations to help out. The special staff operation has been running for three months, with about 30 police from other districts being re-deployed to Northland for five weeks at a time to plug the gaps, with no end date in sight. District Commander for Northland, Superintendent Matt Srjoj spoke to Lisa Owen.