Police have launched a dedicated team to target repeat shoplifters in central and west Auckland, in a move aimed at reassuring frustrated retailers. The initiative focuses on retail crime in the areas of Mount Roskill, Mount Albert, Avondale, Point Chevalier and Ponsonby, RNZ reported.
The move follows growing concern from Auckland supermarket staff who have faced aggressive and, at times, armed shoplifters—some carrying knives and machetes—according to reporting by RNZ.
In recent months, a police directive advising staff that shoplifting incidents under $500 would no longer be investigated sparked public controversy. The directive was later withdrawn and described by the Police Commissioner as “confusing and unhelpful.”
Auckland City West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Wayne Kitcher, told RNZ’s Morning Report that the new initiative had already shown success in its first week, with a couple charged in connection to the theft of goods valued over $250,000.
Kitcher said the team was specifically focused on recidivist retail offenders, acknowledging the frustration retailers were experiencing. He said the initiative aimed to provide reassurance that police were actively targeting repeat offenders.
He explained that the team would review CCTV footage after shoplifting incidents were reported, and noted that in most cases, the offenders were already known to police and could be located relatively quickly.
When asked whether officers from the team would be stationed at supermarkets, Kitcher clarified that the team was tasked with following up on reported offences rather than being deployed onsite.
He was unable to confirm whether the initiative would be expanded to cover the wider Auckland region or rolled out to other centres.
ISSUE
Leave a Comment