Pāpāmoa is becoming a shining example of an engaged and vigilant suburb after reports of a decline in crime, and the apprehension of a burglar.

Pāpāmoa Neighbourhood Support Coordinator Bruce Banks was pleased to hear the alleged burglar was taken into custody on Sunday.

The man was reported seen near Mangatawa Lane and Sandhurst Drive.

“We had a couple of people call in reporting a man acting suspiciously in the area around 12pm,” a police spokesperson said.

“He was identified as a man believed to be responsible for a burglary in the same area several days ago."

He was taken into custody about 12.15pm.

As well as being part of building stronger communities, Pāpāmoa Neighbourhood Support encourages residents within the network to report suspicious activity, which helps prevent crime and keeps the neighbourhood safer.

Pāpāmoa

Crime-wise, Pāpāmoa had not fared too badly of late, with “just a smattering of offences” reported to police, Banks said on Friday.

“About 18 months ago, we had a spate of solar-powered batteries being stolen from toilet blocks and cell phone towers. An adult male was subsequently arrested for this, however, it seems that another thief is having a crack.”

The new toilet block with automatic sliding doors in Taylor’s Reserve was burgled at 3.15am on March 5.

“CCTV footage shows a male spending about three-quarters of an hour forcing the service door with a large crowbar and eventually forcing it open,” Banks said.

“He is then joined by a female who was obviously waiting nearby, and they both removed two of the solar-powered batteries. The amount of damage caused plus having to replace these batteries runs into the thousands of dollars and at the end of the day, we, the ratepayers, end up funding their actions.

“If anyone happens to be living close to one of these toilet blocks, please keep an eye out and if you see or hear anything suspicious, ring 111.”

Banks wondered if the message would finally get through to residents not to leave cars unlocked.

“We had another wallet stolen and cards used from an unlocked car in Grenada St.”

Despite some leaving their cars unlocked, Banks was hopeful the message was getting through to others to lock their vehicles.

“Earlier in the week, one of my neighbours captured three youths on CCTV at 11.30pm trying all the doors on both their vehicles in their driveway to see if they were unlocked,” Banks said.

“Luckily, they were both locked and the three youths continued down the street, probably looking for another target. Did they find one? Not sure.

“Capturing this on home CCTV just goes to show that there are crooks about looking for unlocked cars so that they can help themselves to your property.”

He reminded people to remember to take wallets, handbags and other valuables inside when they leave their vehicle.

Pāpāmoa East residents may have noticed fresh black wheelie and donut marks appearing in Pāpāmoa Beach Road recently.

“I am pleased to announce that a police dog unit managed to catch this perpetrator in the act and low and behold, it was a youth who had no driver’s licence and had ‘borrowed’ Mummy’s car,” Banks said.

“Needless to say, Mummy was not happy to find out that her car was being impounded for 28 days. He also faces driving charges and infringement notices.”

Safer Plates Day

The community patrols ran a Safer Plates Day recently, at Pāpāmoa Plaza carpark, where for a $2 gold coin donation, patrol teams fitted tamper-proof screws to cars to prevent number plate theft.

Banks said police reported number plate theft had risen 30% per cent over the past five years.

“If the public continues to support Safer Plates Day, then community patrols will potentially run them some more.”

Joining Neighbourhood Support

Being part of a Neighbourhood Support group offers many benefits for residents, both on a personal and community level.

A visible, connected community can deter criminals, who are less likely to target areas where people are paying attention to one another.

As well as crime prevention and emergency preparedness, Neighbourhood Support also encourages relationships, fostering a sense of community and bringing people together. Sharing resources and information can help reduce isolation and improve quality of life and wellbeing.

Banks said Pāpāmoa Neighbourhood Support had almost 6000 member households and each neighbourhood street group usually had up to 30 member households.

To join or start a street group in Pāpāmoa, contact Bruce Banks at nspapamoa@wbopns.org.nz