Anyone walking around Auckland city centre should stay alert, the deputy mayor says, amid growing criminal behaviour in the CBD.
There were anecdotal reports of criminal activity like "banging on shop doors, fighting with staff, loud language, intimidating behaviour", Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson told Checkpoint.
Antisocial behaviour was "getting more frequent" and putting people off from the city centre and a solution was needed urgently, she said.
Deputy Mayor urges urgent action on safety in Akl CBD
Speaking from her own experience, she said: "I'm just very cautious about where I walk on my own. I shouldn't have to be, but I am very cautious. I think until we get this problem addressed more positively, everyone needs to have a high degree of personal awareness when they walk around the city, especially after dark."
Statistics NZ is leaving its Auckland CBD office due to safety concerns. Staff have reported antisocial behaviour on the street and around the entrance to the office.
Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Simpson said she had written to the ministers of police and mental health to find a solution together to address antisocial behaviour and crime in the central city.
"We're doing quite a lot from our perspective. We have added more money into the city centre in April for a safety coordinator with safety hubs, community patrols, New Zealand Māori and Pacific wardens," she said.
"And then again in May we've put some more funding in there for compliance wardens, but those compliance wardens really can only address low-level antisocial behaviour such as enforcing liquor bans and obstruction and general nuisance.
"But criminal behaviour has to be dealt with by police and we need the resources for that."
There needed to be a bigger police presence in the city, she said.
The Auckland Central Police Station is about 2.5km away from Fort and Queen streets.
Simpson said people have had issues near the bus top on the corner of Fort St.
On Tuesday, police area commander Grant Tetzlaff said crime in Auckland CBD had been growing over recent years, but had plateaued in the past six months.
In a statement, Tetzlaff said police were working to help prevent alcohol-related disorder and crime.
"The issues causing crime in the CBD can be complex in nature and involve a number of agencies and community partners.
"For that reason, police cannot solve these issues alone."
Simpson also wanted wraparound mental health services.
"We are hearing that a lot of this behaviour is potentially driven by mental health challenges."
Simpson said she was aware the city could go into a downward spiral but "I wouldn't say it's critical".
"I think we've got to a point where it is of serious concern and it does need some serious address."