Watch: Police launch Henderson beat team amid surge in crime

A new seven police officer beat team is walking the streets in Henderson town centre, and locals hope their presence will help to bring down crime.

Police data shows there were just over 3500 victimisations in Henderson in the year to the end of July, and the vast majority were thefts.

Local resident, Fiza, works nearby and has noticed the team on patrol.

"I didn't realise there were so many police officers, but it's actually really good. There's a lot of rough sleepers and a lot of things happening in Henderson that's affecting a lot of people, unfortunately, [people are] getting away with pinching and assaults."

Police Minister Mark Mitchell and local politicians joined the Henderson beat team on Friday to formally introduce them to the community.

It's the second beat team in Auckland, and they join more than 63 officers deployed around the country since funding was received in Budget 2024.

Inspector Simon Walker is the area commander for Waitemata West, and said the team will be a reassuring presence.

"It's been a long time, certainly since I've been in the area; there hasn't been one, so it's certainly exciting to launch it here today in the heart of West Auckland in the Henderson CBD.

"They have hit the ground running, they could not be happier to be in the roles, and what's really pleasing is the reception that they're getting from the community when they're out walking on the beat."

Earlier this week, the beat team were walking through the area when they saw a woman wanted for prolific shoplifting.

"It resulted in a small foot chase, where that person was apprehended as they were walking them back in handcuffs, back towards the vehicle, and a sporadic round of applause broke out amongst the public, so that was really nice to see."

The woman's arrest has resulted in 10 shoplifting charges.

According to the Police Crime Snapshot, between July 2024 and July 2025, there were just over 3500 victimisations in Henderson.

The vast majority of these were thefts. There were also more than one hundred burglaries, assaults, and eight sexual offences.

The new team includes a sergeant and six experienced constables, and new recruits posted to the area will also spend time with the beat team.

Walker said behaviour that undermines that, whether through crime, antisocial conduct, or intimidation, will be dealt with appropriately and effectively.

"We will hold people accountable for behaviour that falls short of community expectations, while also working alongside our partners to understand and address the underlying drivers of antisocial behaviour," he said.

"This balanced approach is key to creating lasting change and ensuring our public spaces remain safe and inclusive for everyone."

Locals RNZ talked to said it is good to have police on the beat.

A local woman who is retired said she supported the beat team.

"They work hard already. I grew up with a policeman, and he was my other dad, and he was beautiful. They work very hard, and they deserve all my support."

Local resident Wolf said he would feel safer seeing more police on patrol.

"There are just so few at the moment, and you need a bit more for the presence so you can see the uniform."

Another local, Tuvale Mauu, said he often sees students waiting at bus and train stations, and it is good to have police around at those times.

"For the safety of high school kids coming here after school, I think there's some good reasons why they come."

The beat is a familiar gig for Mitchell.

"I started out on section one at Auckland Central, and my sergeant sent me straight out on the beat, and I loved it because you get to know your patch, you get to develop relationships with the shop owners and the employees, and you get to know what's happening in the area.

"It's a great way to connect with the community that you're serving."

He said the Henderson beat team follows other redeployments around the country.

"Area commanders and district commanders are standing up beat teams in a rolling maul around the country, they're proving and showing just how effective they are, how well the public are responding to them, and it's just back to basics. It's a great form of policing."

Mitchell said he is confident the government will deliver on its promise of 500 more police officers.

Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen earlier said the beat teams are just shifting around police - at the beginning of the month, she said only 23 more officers had been employed.

Henderson local Joseph Otimi said he is concerned that having more police on the streets could shift crime elsewhere.

"It's actually creating crime in hidden places now, crime's happening in the hidden spots.

"The truth is, I miss my gangs walking around. Since the gang's presence has been gone, the police presence is picking up, and now I'm understanding why, because the gangs used to police all the criminals."

But for retailers like Connie Kang, it's a relief.

She said she twice had her leg broken by burglars in the store she owns in West City Mall - Stirling Sports.

"I'm glad about the police around here, I feel very safe now. Last year and five years ago, they come to rob and run and pushed me over on the concrete ground."

Joah Schnee works in the store alongside her.

"It's just really quite reassuring and takes the edge off, I know for her it's been really stressful because no matter who comes in, it's a little on edge because you never know when somebody could steal."

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