Dunedin police are formulating a plan to reduce the number of burglaries in the scarfie-populated North Dunedin, having recorded 54 burglaries between March and June this year in streets mainly lived in by students.
Inspector Campbell, the police Area Commander, described the area as traditionally “seen by burglars as an easy touch because students were known to have valuable items and leave properties unlocked”.
Over the three month period, Leith St recorded the highest number of burglaries with 14, while Queen St notched up 11.
Inspector Campbell noted that police have noticed non-students and known criminals moving into the student area in the past two or three years. He indicates this is a concern as burglars are likely to be most active within a small area close to their home. Police have completed a burglary control strategy for the city for 2013 in an effort to reduce the rate of incidences occurring. They are also looking at alternative ways of dealing with the problem, as efforts to educate students seem to have failed. Ironic, if nothing else.
Students incapable of learning
