IR-01-24-28251
7 November 2024
Joshua Rogers
[email address]
Kia ora Joshua
Request for information
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request dated 12 August 2024,
in which you requested:
Please provide any evidence, analysis or work done by the Hamilton Police to
assess the need for a retail crime unit or work related to investigating and
prosecution of retail offenders in Hamilton.
I’m specifical y looking at if Hamilton Police have analysed the retail crime
trends in Hamilton and what they are doing to work on it.
Please provide any correspondence to and from the prevention team
sergeant/managers, Bruce Bird and any other unit associated with the
management of retail crime in the last 24 months.
Firstly, I apologise sincerely for the delay in responding to your request.
Please find attached information identified as within scope of your request. Note that
some information within these documents has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of
the OIA, to protect the privacy of individuals.
If you are not satisfied with my response to your request, you have the right to ask the
Ombudsman to seek an investigation and review of my decision. Information about
how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Geoff Blow
Sergeant - Waikato OIA team
New Zealand Police
Police National Headquarters 180 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington SX11149
Telephone: (04) 474 9499. www.police.govt.nz
GAP ANALYSIS: Dishonesty Offending in Hamilton City
Workgroup
Current State (Activities)
GAPS/Risks
Desired Future State
Options
PST
1) Attend any shoplifting cal s for service as priorites al ow
) Demands preventing attendance at most retail crime offences
1) Attend any shoplifting cal s for service as priorites al ow
2) Address any WTI alerts when dealing with the public
2) Limited training with deception offences / civil resulting in no reporting on minising the
2) Address any WTI alerts when dealing with the public
3) Support Prevention with foot patrols especial y when foot patro lers are not tasked to
offending
3) Support Prevention with foot patrols especial y when foot patrol ers are not tasked to
Prevention
Prevention
4) Support bail checks of high-risk / recidivist dishonesty offenders
4) Support ba l checks of high-risk / recidivist dishonesty offenders
Prevention
1) Undertake POP (PANDA) problem solving activities as appropriate
) Resourcing to create scope in PANDA POP
1) Undertake POP (PANDA) problem solving activities as appropriate
2) Lead the area foot patrols delivering reassurance patrols based on temporal-spacial evidence
2) Training and local SMEs for POP
2) Lead the area foot patrols delivering reassurance patrols based on temporal-spacial
3) Complete community intel igence notings during each foot patrol
) Inconsistencies in staffing levels for reassurance patrol ing; likely to be two or three up
evidence
4) Prepare and manage Victim Intervention Plans for identified repeat victims.
contrary to evidence due to level of policing experience.
3) Complete community intel igence notings during each foot patrol
5) Complete crime reslilience training with targeted stores (Incl Op Mal )
4) Uptake of intel notings and operationalising them into a current footpatrol plan
4) Prepare and manage Victim Intervention Plans for identified repeat victims.
5) CPTED expertise that could be ro led out to further stores.
5) Complete crime res ilience training with targeted stores (Incl Op Mal )
6) Limited skil s in the deception space.
6) Delivier a DBAR like response to stores reporting shoplifting.
Area CIB
1) Assessment and investigation of any category 1 to 3 dishonesty crimes including:
) Serious fraud not typical y picked up by area CIB (despite increase in negative media)
1) Assessment and investigation of any category 1 to 3 dishonesty crimes including:
a) Aggravated Robberies
a) Aggravated Robberies
b) Aggravated Burglaries.
b) Aggravated Burglaries
c) Serious fraud that does not meet the threshold for Corporate Fraud. (Parameters)
TCU
SOCO
SOCO
1) Complete DBAR within 48 hours including data entry
1) Complete DBAR within 48 hours including data entry
INVESTIGATIONS
INVESTIGATIONS
Tactical Crime Unit priorities: (Offender Focused/Service Delivery to Vulnerable Victims)
Prioritise response based on al crimes types apportioning investigative time across them
1) Category 3 dwel ing burglaries where entry is gained to the house and occupants are present.
based on harm to victims. eg.
2) Category 3 dwel ing burglaries where entry is gained to the house no victims are present.
3) Other dwel ing residential burglaries where entry is not gained to the house.
Where it was taken from
4) Other burglaries – burglaries that do not fit into the above categories such as commercial.
H ghe
Inside private
Other place on
Public place
mpact on v ct m
dwe ling
property
5) Other category 4 cases as determined by the Detective Senior Sergeant Volume Crime Group
Operational ISU Senior and/or Area based on the fol owing:
Personal Pr vate
30
15
5
a) Organisational Risk (firearms or ammunition)
roperty
b) Vulnerable victims (such as elderly that have been targeted due to their age and have an
Vehicles
10
10
5
f P
Organ sat onal
overarching concern for elderly abuse or Hate Crime definition)
equ pment
5
5
5
c) Repeat offenders/prolific offenders (determined as Intel priority offenders)
Types o
d) Youth
Reta l goods.
5
5
Lowe
e) Fraud – Commercial qua ity high end fraud.
) Volume of dishonesty v capacity
mpact on
f) Vulnerable victims (Elderly abuse)
2) Ability to pick up broad range of offenders with current priority matrix focusing only on the
v ct m
g) Repeat offenders (prolific)
impact to the victim. This limits impact across many other offence types and cal s for service
h) Targeted Ethnic based offending
which creates a greater risk of no deterrance. These areas include:
(Percentages of time indicated)
a) Retail Crime
b) Fraud
Priorities within each crime type differ based on that crime type
c) General thefts
Where it was taken from
) Deterance factors through enforcement prioritising the highest levels of offending across
H ghe
Ins de private dwel ing Other place on
Publ c place
mpact on v ct m
property
multiple offence types.
Rev ct m sat on
Rev ct m sat on
4) Minimal action taken against receivers.
Value
Value
Personal Private
L nes of enqu y
L nes of enqu y
L nes of enqu y
Matters unlikely to be investigated
roperty
f P
Veh cles
L nes of Enqu y
L nes of Enqu y
L nes of Enqu y
- Overseas scams are to be dealt with by standard prevention messaging referrals and ECC.
Organisational
equ pment
L nes of Enqu y
L nes of Enqu y
L nes of Enqu y
- Buyer beware type of ending wil not be looked at and wil be dealt with by prevention
Types o
messaging and ECC.
Retail goods
Rec d v st Offende s
Rec d v st Offende s
- Low level thefts in public places (under $500 Statute of Limitations six months or under
Lowe
mpact on
criteria) ECC
v ct m
Corporate Fraud
Investigation of high level fraud meeting the fol owing criteria:
) Low staffed workgroup which is often staffed via FEO
1) Larger investigative workgroup
1) $100 000 or over / recidivist offender/ vulnerable victim
2) Large volume of files with many different factors
2) Embed prioritisation matrix that withstands scrutiny
) Lack of support for fraud outside of workgroup.
3) Develop referral point (CAB etc) for non-progressing files.
ISU
1) File assessment and preparation for al burglary files that pass IFA and rate over 40
) Staffing numbers unable to meet broad base of demands.
1) File assessment and preparation for al burglary files that pass IFA and rate over 40
2) File assessment and preparation for some recidivist retail crime (shoplifting) offenders
2) Assessment criteria fluctuates and is not consisitent.
2) File assessment and preparation for recidivist retail crime (shoplifting) offenders who
) Staffing levels heavily dictate capacity
meet the threshold for NRISU noting but not their investigation thresholds (5 per 3 month
period)
3) File assessment and preparation for al files that have an identified youth offender
PNHQ
LLL
) Financial considerations that wil effect longevity of programs.
LLL
1. Target harden with a location review fol owing any burglary where:
2) No prevention strategy from Fraud.
1. Target harden with a location review fol owing any burglary where:
a) The address was secured
a) The address was secured
b) There was force entry into the dwel ing
b) There was force entry into the dwe ling
RCPP
RCPP
1. Complete a CPTED and target hardening of all retail store that are subject of a ram raid or
1. Complete a CPTED and target hardening of all retail store that are subject of a ram raid
aggravated robbery (inlcuding payment for security measures) except where:
or aggravated robbery (including payment for security measures) except where:
a) The owner owns more that two stores
a) The owner owns more that two stores
b) They employ more than six staff
b) They employ more than six staff
Fraud
1) Development and implementation of National Fraud Prevention strategy
NRISU
1) Monitor reta l crime trends across the area 3 monthly intel igence summaries.
) Limited by data entry into Auror (not Police control ed)
1) Monitor retail crime trends across the area 3 monthly intel igence summaries.
2) Prioritise offenders (recidivist) and prepare files
2) Prioritise offenders (recidivist) and prepare files
FM&T
1) Case assessment new offence files
) Not specific to crime type
1) Case assessment new offence files
2) Victim Support Referrals
2) Now not control ed localy and is part of a region (creates differences in approach and
2) Victim Support Referrals
application of quidelines)
3) Referrals to other organisations depending on crime type (i.e. Netsafe Age Concern
Banks
Intel igence
1) Create Intel igence reports to confirm spatial-temporal hotspots targeted locations repeat
) Level of organisational risk not always clear.
1) Create Intel igence reports to confirm spatial-temporal hotspots targeted locations
offenders and prevention opportunities. (Through ATAC)
2) Gaps in the crime chain
repeat offenders and prevention opportunities. (Through ATAC)
2) Prepare Community Intel igence summary to support decision making
2) Prepare Community Intel igence summary to support decision making
3) Maintain a priority Offender lists
3) Conduct weekly meetings of Dishonesty Crime Stakeholders (TCU Youth Intel ISU)
4) Maintain a priority Offender lists
5) Complete RAT chats / cel interviews of al offenders arrested for dishonesty offending
(in conjunciton with OCs)
Youth Services
1) Manage Youth process for al files received from investigations groups.
) Missing files preventing application for orders
1) Manage Youth process for al dishonesty files involving youth (Evidence Capsum
2) Lack of files received due to current requirement that investigation is completed including
received)
suspect interview.
) Minimal capacity to provide scamming training in schools specific to sextortion offences
MPES
1) Engage with ethnic communities affected by dishonesty crime
) Programs in the MPES space to support deterance.
1) Engage with ethnic communities affected by dishonesty crime
2) Lead relationship with dairy and business owners association
2) Lead relationship with dairy and business owners association
3) Provide oversight of Te Pae Oranga
4) Monitor and deliver food packages
Media
1) Support adhoc media releases as requested by district
) Lack of media strategy
1) A clear media plan developed and implemented to:
2) No consistency in local messageing
a) Support increases in trust and confidence in Polic response to al forms of dishonesty
) Some local advice being undermined by released from other districts
crime
b) Provide crime prevention advice
Front Counter staff
1) Receive complaints of a variety of dishonesty offences including burglary fraud some
) Training with fraud related offences and oversight of civil v criminal advice.
1) Receive complaints of a variety of dishonesty offences including burglary fraud some
shoplifitng robberies and other thefts
2) Ability to provide any advice around action Police may be able to undertake
shoplifitng robberies and other thefts
2) Provide crime prevention advice
2) Provide crime prevention advice
3) Complete referrals to victim support agencies
3) Complete referrals to victim support agencies
Where it was taken from
Higher
Inside private dwel ing Other place on
Public place
impact on victim
property
Revictimisation
Revictimisation
Value
Value
Personal Private
Lines of enquiry
Lines of enquiry
Lines of enquiry
roperty
f P
Vehicles
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enquiry
Organisational
equipment
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enquiry
Types o
Retail goods
Recidivist Offenders
Recidivist Offenders
Where it was taken from
Higher
Inside private dwelling Other place on
Public place
impact on victim
property
Revictimisation
Revictimisation
Value
Value
Personal Private
Lines of enquiry
Lines of enquiry
Lines of enqu
f Property
Vehicles
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enqu
Organisational
equipment
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of Enqu
Types o
Retail goods
Recidivist Offenders
Recidivist Offenders
0
Lower
impact on
victim
uiry
uiry
uiry
Lower
impact on
victim
Waikato OIA
From:
FAULKNER, Neil
Sent:
Wednesday, 17 April 2024 12:08 PM
To:
SHANKS, Wayne; MCKENZIE, Scott; MCBETH, Andrea; PITKETHLEY, Graham
Subject:
FW: volume retail crime in Hamilton
Wayne can you please catch up with Moose and help include the ISU component into the HN city retail crime vipers
plan.
Regards
Neil
From: MCBETH, Andrea <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, 17 April 2024 8:40 AM
To: PITKETHLEY, Graham <[email address]>; FAULKNER, Neil <[email address]>
Subject: RE: volume retail crime in Hamilton
Thanks. I will add this to the VIPERS plan.
Inspector Andrea McBeth LLB
Area Commander: Hamilton City
Waikato Police | 12 Anzac Parade, Hamilton Central | New Zealand Police | Ngä Pirihimana O Aotearoa
s9(2)(a)
| [email address]
From: PITKETHLEY, Graham <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, 17 April 2024 8:35 AM
To: MCBETH, Andrea <[email address]>; FAULKNER, Neil <[email address]>
Subject: RE: volume retail crime in Hamilton
I am satisfied with the priority offender matrix, prior to your original email Intel (tony) was conducting checks to
ensure none of the offenders were being missed from the report as a checking mechanism, a couple of them I am
aware have been assigned out on POTAC etc which is the right mechanism .
Apart from Priority offenders which we are undertaking for retail crime I can’t offer much more than that or take it
further, for example focus on all offenders offending at location/victim is beyond capability.
Graham Pitkethley
Detective Inspector
District Manager: Criminal Investigations
Waikato Police District
DD
s9(2)(a)
[see
mail]
1
From: MCBETH, Andrea <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, 17 April 2024 7:52 AM
To: PITKETHLEY, Graham <[email address]>; FAULKNER, Neil <[email address]>
Subject: RE: volume retail crime in Hamilton
Just a follow reminder on the email below.
Inspector Andrea McBeth LLB
Area Commander: Hamilton City
Waikato Police | 12 Anzac Parade, Hamilton Central | New Zealand Police | Ngä Pirihimana O Aotearoa
s9(2)(a)
| [email address]
From: MCBETH, Andrea
Sent: Tuesday, 9 April 2024 4:07 PM
To: PITKETHLEY, Graham <[email address]>; FAULKNER, Neil <[email address]>
Subject: volume retail crime in Hamilton
Kia ora Tiny and Neil,
I have received the latest Auror report which is an interesting read.
We are doing some work at present with s9(2)(a)
but with ISU and TCU owning different
parts of retail crime I think it is time to ensure that we have the retail crime response in Hamilton City aligned.
My questions are really whether the information we receive via 105,111, Auror is being directed to the right people
for follow up (or not when appropriate) and that our victim, offender, location focus is aligned given we have
ownership for different parts of this.
The easiest way to ensure this is probably a theft/retail VIPERS plan for the city, or similar. With ATAC acting as a
mechanism to maintain oversight.
Keen for your thoughts / views. Happy to meet if required.
Regards
McB
Inspector Andrea McBeth LLB
Area Commander: Hamilton City
Waikato Police | 12 Anzac Parade, Hamilton Central | New Zealand Police | Ngä Pirihimana O Aotearoa
s9(2)(a)
| [email address]
2
