Town’s brand damaged

Cambridge’s business community has joined the town’s fight for a return to 24/7 policing.

A statement issued by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce said it wanted ‘‘effective and efficient policing’’ that was visible and active.

The chamber was responding to news that Cambridge was left off a list of towns to have police stations upgraded to 24/7 operations.

The chamber ran a snap survey of its members which showed over 97 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed there was a lack of police presence in Waipa, particularly Cambridge.

The survey showed most agreed it had led to businesses being worried about safety and security of their staff, given recent late-night criminal activity in the town.

Chamber members wanted safety of citizens acknowledged with the same importance as infrastructure.

Chamber chief executive Tania Witheford said the lack of confidence in safety and security meant the business community felt its brand and reputation were at risk of being damaged. She supported an urgent call to revisit investment in front-line police.