VANDALISM DECREASING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27211, 14 October 1949, Page 9

VANDALISM DECREASING

NEW HOUSES IN AUCKLAND COUNTER MEASURES PROVING EFFECTIVE PA AUCKLAND. Oct. 13. Vandalism and thefts from houses under construction in Auckland have shown a marked decrease in recent months, at least so far as large contractors are concerned, following the decision of a number of builders to employ nightwatchmen to protect groups of houses in course of erection. In the past, losses of timber and hardware from building sites have been heavy. Although these losses still continue, inquiries from a number of firms engaged in housing construction showed that for the past 12 months they had been exceptionally small. ’ Contractors building single homes consider their risk from theft and vandalism is greater, but the vigilance of occupiers of neighbouring houses acts as a deterrent. Suburban police have also been active in catching offenders, and the Auckland Master Builders’ Association recently sent a letter to the Police Department expressing its congratulations on the action taken against vandalism in the past few years.