4 Dec 2008

Safety team planned in for Whangarei suburb

6:35 am on 4 December 2008

Police in Whangarei intend to set up a new base in the suburb of Otangarei, in a bid to reduce crime and the fear of gangs.

A community safety team of five has leased a Housing New Zealand unit in Otangarei, in a complex where transient tenants have caused problems.

Sergeant James McCullough says it will be the first of its sort and is designed to build up strong relationships between police and the community.

In the past, he says victims of crime have been reluctant to speak to the police because of fear of the gangs who dominate the suburb.

However, a council resource consent is needed before the office can open.