"The community have had enough, we've had enough, and we want people to be safe and feel safe."
This is the message from Waikato Police commander Superintendent Bruce Bird following a series of burglaries believed to have been committed by at least 10 youths.
Police say four youths have been arrested so far, but officers are continuing to hunt for the other offenders.
Police responded to a report of a ram-raid style burglary in Sandwich Road, St Andrews reported at 1.53am, a burglary in Duke Street, Cambridge reported at 3.49am and a burglary in Sloane Street, Te Awamutu, reported at 4.42am.
At this time, it's believed that the incidents in Cambridge and Te Awamutu are linked, says Superintendent Bruce Bird.
Bruce says enquiries are ongoing to determine whether there are links to any other offending.
"With regard to the incidents in Cambridge and Te Awamutu, four youths have been arrested and will be charged with burglary.
"The youths fled the Sloane Street, Te Awamutu address in two vehicles and subsequently stole a vehicle from homeowners in Gillard Road, after one of their vehicles was disabled.
"Road spikes were deployed and the stolen vehicle was spiked and brought to a stop, following which the offenders fled in foot.
"A Police dog team apprehended four youths in the Bader Street area."
It's believed that shots were fired towards Police scene guards at the Bader Street address where the arrested youths were arrested, although this report is yet to be substantiated, says Bruce.
"Police are providing support to the homeowners whose house was entered and car stolen.
"They are understandably shaken, and one has minor injuries.
"Police enquiries are ongoing to locate other offenders involved in this incident, it's believed that 10 youths were involved in the burglary.
"Police understand that the incidents overnight have been alarming and unsettling to our community, and we are working hard to hold the offenders accountable.
"We will be stepping up patrols in retail areas, tasking additional staff to the investigation effort and working with our partners to address the root causes of youth offending.
"Youth offending is an all-of-community issue and it needs an all-of-community response.
"Police will continue to play our part, and we know that our partners are working hard to play their part."
If you have any information that could assist please contact Police on 105 or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using 'Update My Report' referencing event number P052987416.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
1 comment
What actual ACTION is being taken?
Posted on 20-12-2022 13:24 | By morepork
""Youth offending is an all-of-community issue and it needs an all-of-community response." Yes, it does. We are seeing the results of responsibility being abnegated by parents who often don't even know where their kids are, and social media where kids wind each other up to become notorious. The Government response (like its general response to crime) is lacklustre and lame. Just throw money at it. Buglaries and ram raids are bad enough, but when they start to mutilate people without provocation, it has gone too far. Schools, communities , and youth groups, all need to be discussing these issues with young people and offering more positive options. Parents need to regain some control, not just of the kids' behaviours, but also of getting some decent values into their offspring. We have a culture where people are increasingly expecting the Nanny state to "handle it". They obviously can't.
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