Hawke’s Bay Crime reports 9.4% in 2024 while robberies and thefts hardly hit businesses

In November, the criminals armed with a hammer entered a store on Windsor Ave from Parkvale, crushing a freezing freezer before running away when a foggy cannon activated.

The incident was part of a series of burglary that saw five bay businesses targeted in a single morning.

Three months further, the owner of the store, who refused to be called, wants changes.

“I was the fifth. If something had been done after the first few, maybe I wouldn’t have hit, ”she said.

“If an incident happens, all stores within a 50 km radius should be warned. In this way, we can be on guard or even near a store, if necessary. “

The pre-in-in has cost nearly $ 1500 in lost stock and a damaged freezer he needed to replace.

“To ask for insurance, I have to spend $ 750, so I still lose money. And if you claim every year, it will grow, ”she says.

Beyond the financial losses, she fears for her safety and her family.

“I literally look at options that I should get rid of this business. The risk is too high. “

Theft, the most widespread crime in both regions, increased in Hastings from 3345 to 2023 to 3411 reports from 2024. In Napier, it registered a much higher leap, reaching 3759 cases compared to 3282 the previous year.

Also, violent offenses followed an upward trend.

In Hastings, aggressions increased from 776 to 837 cases, while sexual aggression rose from 61 to 75 years. Napier saw a model similar to sexual aggressions that increased from 37 to 47 cases. The general attacks in the napier have remained relatively stable.

In the Napier, the robberies have increased slightly from 68 to 73 cases and reported abductions, although they are still rare, increased from two to three cases.

Some offenses have declined. In Hastings, kidnappings have dropped from seven to five cases, and robberies decreased from 77 to 64.

Inspector Lincoln Sycamore, the commander of the Bay area of ​​Hawke, acknowledged that there was a visible increase in dishonest crimes, including theft, car crime and shopping, especially during the 2024 winter, where “reported incidents were far beyond “Normal rate”.

“While an offense is too big, we focus our efforts on repeated locations, victims and criminals,” said Sycamore.

“We have dedicated teams that focus on the initial presence and pursuit.”

Despite the peak of 2024, the police say that the long -term crime trends in Hawke’s bay remain large and have decreased in some areas over the past five years.

They continue to work with community agencies to address the main causes of crime and encourage the public to report suspicious activities.

“In some cases, our audience is reluctant to call 111, because there is fear of wasting our time,” says Sycamore.

“If you see or hear something that happens now that seems to be a crime, call 111 immediately and report it. If you know something about a crime, it can be reported anonymously at 0800 555 111. ”