Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park said a brief spike in crime following Cyclone Gabrielle quickly eased. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Police released data today showing that crime levels quickly returned to normal after a brief spike in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
An extra 145 police staff were sent to the Eastern District after the cyclone struck in mid-February, Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park said.
"I know that crime and safety has been a concern for people in our community, particularly for those who are feeling more exposed to crime they are not used to seeing and this has been unsettling," Park said in a statement.
"Police data shows that during the week immediately after Cyclone Gabrielle hit, Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti areas experienced a brief spike in crime but levels returned to normal by the following week."
Extra staff remain in the region as recovery continues, she said.
Shortly after the cyclone, Hawke's Bay residents said they were highly worried about reports of intruders at damaged properties and wanted more police aid.
One resident at a public meeting said that he disturbed an intruder in his home while another saw suspicious people videoing property near his home.
"Ultimately everyone's scared, no one's sleeping properly," another said.
Police resources in Eastern District were initially focused on responding to the unfolding emergency, Park said.
"Daily 111 calls to police for assistance nearly doubled in the week immediately after the cyclone hit - from an average of 190-200 a day to 367.
"Many of these were for a range of flood-related support, not reporting criminal activity."
As communications were restored, reports of crimes increased - particularly family harm, burglaries, and violence and threats, police said.
A week later these crime categories were largely back to normal levels.
The only category to remain elevated was public order, including suspicious activity.
For the two-week period from 18 February to 3 March, there were an average 21 arrests daily compared to the usual average of 16.
"It's important to note that the extra contingent of police from outside the district helped enable a strong response to those who chose to take advantage of the devastation waged by the cyclone," Park said.
The full police data report can be found on their website.