Social media having an impact

Western Waikato Police say people wanting examples of social media having an immediate impact on crime need look no further than the arrest of two teenagers in Otorohanga last week as an example of how to build on a community's spirit.

Youth & Community Service Supervisor for the Western Waikato, Sergeant Mike Henwood, says the latest saga began a week ago when a teenager wearing a red bandana over his face darted into a liquor store on Maniapoto St and fled with a box of beer on Sunday 12 October.

"Security footage from the store's CCTV camera was loaded on to the Otorohanga Police's Facebook page which was followed up by a lot of feedback from the public.

"Three days later when the same male tried the same thing bystanders recognised what was happening from what they'd read on Facebook and guided responding Police to a local address."

Mr Henwood says as a result of the fast relaying of accurate information officers recovered boxes of beer and arrested two males aged 14 and 17-years-old.

"The offenders also admitted involvement of the earlier theft and the property was returned to the victim."

Mr Henwood says the Otorohanga Police's Facebook page was the first official one of its kind and it wasn't the first time social media had been used by concerned members of the public to effect positive change in their town.

"A couple of years ago Otorohanga was the subject of some bad publicity in regards to the behaviour of some individuals doing burnouts and racing on the main street.

"Video footage posted by associates of the offenders on Youtube resulted in numerous nominations from locals identifying the offenders on our Facebook page. Social media is becoming a real force multiplier in terms of opportunities for the public to actively assist us and we really encourage it."

Source: Waikato Police.

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