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Ramraids in Dargaville Photo: supplied by Northern Wairoa Community Patrols
Eighteen new police in Northland won't provide any immediate relief to a crime wave in the town of Dargaville, locals say.
The Minister of Police visited Dargaville on Friday evening to announce the plan for new recruits.
It follows publicity over an upsurge in ramraids, burglaries and anti-social behaviour in recent months, which has pushed residents to take matters into their own hands, forming a community patrol.
The group had been calling for more volunteers.
Northern Wairoa Community Patrol spokesperson Anita Evans says the group was formed, partly, to deter people from taking a more vigilante approach.
Kaipara District Council Dargaville Ward councillor Ash Nayyar backs the scheme, particularly as current wait times for police attendance can be hours or more.