Restructuring planned for police

Press, 5 April 1989, Page 1

Restructuring planned for police

By

BARRY CLARKE

The Christchurch police force will be restructured to help cut crime. Staff levels at suburban stations are likely to be increased and smaller stations opened to boost the police presence. The move is part of a national plan to make the police more identifiable in the community, Christchurch district commander, Chief Superintendent Ron Melrose, said yesterday. Crime in Christchurch last year

rose only 0.7 per cent on 1987, but violent offences were up 12 per cent. Sexual offences rose 25 per cent. j Nationally, violent offences increased 15.8 per cent, with sexual attacks up 25 per cent and grievous assaults were up nearly 45 per cent. The restructuring will take place after a demographic study of population trends in Christchurch for the next 15 years. The study will start in a few weeks. Mr Melrose said it was unlikely

more police numbers would be added to the Christchurch district; staff would be transferred from the central station to suburban areas. “in many ways we are fairly lucky here in so far as community policing goes. “We’re well down the path to community-based policing. We already have 19 community constables.” Stations at New Brighton, Papanui, Hornby and City South will be manned 24 hours a day.

Police houses in Breezes Road, North New Brighton and Belfast might be converted into smaller stations. “There’s probably no show of getting more money to build new stations. The police houses which aren’t really in demand now look the ideal solution,” Mr Melrose said. "The message people are giving us is that they want us back in the community. All they see now is the flash of blue and white as a car goes by.”