Is it worth the call?

• By Acting Sergeant Tony Tumai, Papakura Community Engagement Team

Don’t hesitate, report suspicious behaviour to 111.

While the public readily calls 111 for serious emergencies, police in Papakura are urging
residents to also report any and all suspicious behaviour, as these observations can be crucial in preventing more significant crimes.

Constable Gurpinder Singh, of the Papakura Community Engagement Team, emphasises that hesitation in reporting these incidents could inadvertently allow opportunistic criminals to operate unchecked.

“Someone looking into parked cars or a person claiming to search for a pet in your backyard might be more than they seem,” Constable Singh explains.

“These could be potential thieves scoping targets or individuals looking for entry points.”

Police stress that many offenders are opportunists seeking easy targets.

Calling 111 when something feels amiss, even if it turns out to be a false alarm, provides valuable information.

This allows police to build a clearer picture of community activity and deploy preventative
patrols effectively to the right locations at the right times.

Reporting suspicious behaviour through 111 also contributes vital data for tracking crime trends and allocating police resources strategically.

Constable Singh reiterates that police would rather respond to a non-emergency call than have a suspicious individual proceed to commit an offence.

For information regarding past crimes, residents are encouraged to contact their local police station or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Papakura Community Engagement Team also encourages members of the public to actively participate in crime prevention by joining Community Crime Watch patrols or local
Neighbourhood Support groups. These volunteer initiatives act as extra eyes and ears for the police, providing a visible presence and fostering a stronger sense of community safety.

“These groups are incredibly effective in deterring crime,” says Constable Singh.

“They enhance our presence and build a more connected and vigilant community.”

For more information on joining these groups or for general crime prevention advice, Constable Singh can be contacted directly at Gurpinder.singh@police.govt.nz.