Concern widening blue line won’t stretch to Taihape

Rangitikei’s mayor has called for more police after debate erupted in Parliament about whether rural areas will miss out on promised new officers.

Andy Watson said the district has had ‘‘difficulty with policing’’ and he welcomed discussion on it.

The district is one of the largest in the country, and even larger towns did not have 24-hour access to an officer on duty within 25 kilometres, he said. His comments came after NZ First deputy leader Ron Mark challenged Minister of Police Paula Bennett about whether promised new officers would ‘‘end up in Auckland’’.

He also asked what confidence Rangitikei people could have in the minister’s plans when ‘‘from 2008 to June 2016 there were 215 burglaries in Taihape for only three arrests, and 35 cars were stolen for only three arrests, the last of which was made in 2013?’’

Bennett has disputed those figures. She told Parliament 140 new sworn officers would be dedicated to serving regional and rural communities, but the precise placement of officers would be a matter for the police commissioner.

All 12 police districts would be getting more officers, she said.

The package, which includes a total 880 extra sworn staff nationally, would ‘‘reduce crime’’ and ensure all but 5 per cent of the country’s population ‘‘lives within 25km of a 24/7 police presence’’.

Watson said residents of Taihape and other towns were aware police resources were stretched, and they were concerned.

‘‘Every mayor would like to see 24-hour policing in all of their towns, but we realise it’s not always possible. Where backup is available within 25km we can accept that, but the current reality is a concern. They are often [staffed] from Palmerston North or Whanganui.’’

Residents were particularly concerned about police availability to respond to stock thefts and crashes on State Highway 1, Watson said.

Questions to NZ Police about hours police were on duty and based from Taihape were not answered directly. Acting area commander Senior Sergeant Nigel Allan said ‘‘across Taihape, Waiouru, Hunterville and Ohakune and Raetihi there are 20 allocated positions providing 24-hour policing services ... with on-call capacity outside of rostered hours’’.