Customers concerned for their safety in Downtown Tauranga due to antisocial behaviour occurring in the CBD is causing business struggles, according to one restaurant manager.

Amid construction on Devonport Rd and a lack of access to parking, Turkish restaurant Abrakebabra manager Seyda Coskun says crime and homelessness in Tauranga City is another detriment to the business.

“We’ve had people try smash our windows, glass doors and we had someone break into our shop and steal our laptop with all of our sensitive business information,” says Seyda.

Customer safety

“There’s just a lot of crime going on and people don’t want to go somewhere they don’t feel safe.” “We have a lot of customers complain that there’s too many homeless people on the street and that they don’t feel safe sending their kids after-school to come and get food anymore – and that’s disappointing. It’s hard.

Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley says “growing antisocial behaviour” is one of the main issues for CBD businesses.

“There are many stories of in-store intimidation, repeated minor theft, and after-hours vandalism. Businesses are encouraged to contact the Police or log the event at the Police’s 10-7 website,” says Matt.

Increased patrols

Tauranga Central Police Station’s Senior Sergeant Scott Merritt says police have not noticed an increase in antisocial behaviour during recent weeks.

However, Scott says police have increased patrols in the Tauranga CBD to monitor the area and reassure the community.

“Rough sleeping, begging or being homeless are in themselves not criminal offences but police are called from time-to-time to deal with issues around matters involving public disorder or complaints about antisocial behaviour, including burglaries.”

Tauranga City Council general manager of city development and partnerships Gareth Wallis says ensuring the community and businesses feel safe in the CBD is very important to council.

“Many of the issues at hand are complex and addressing them requires a collaborative effort,” says Gareth.

He says council has also recently created a new City Safety and Engagement Advisor role to support business owners in the short-term surrounding safety and security concerns.

“We are actively working with the Police, Downtown Tauranga and other social agencies to look at ways in which we can help deter antisocial behaviour and provide wraparound support for those people within our community who are in need.”

“Police are committed to acting on all reports of crime, and the public can help us by reporting incidents of unsafe behaviour to us,” says Scott.

If you see any illegal activity in the CBD, call 111 immediately or 105 if it is after the fact.