EMERGENCY BRIEFS

Last week Putaruru police dealt with a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth for stealing a car from Putaruru.

The pair stole electronic items from the car before going on a joyride and dumping the vehicle in Putaruru.

The 19-year old was due to appear in the Tokoroa District Court yesterday and the youth is appearing in the Tokoroa Youth Court on Friday. A burglary was also reported at a rural Okoroire address.

Senior sergeant Jason Shailer said it was a reminder to everyone to ensure their properties were locked.

Another six burglaries were reported to the Tokoroa police.

Tokoroa senior sergeant Graeme Hill said most of the premises were left unlocked but there had been a couple of instances where doors were kicked in.

‘‘If you have drug houses in your area and cars keep driving up and down the street, tell us about it, these are the things that attract these people to areas.’’

There has also been an increase of shoplifting in the CBD.

‘‘We really want retailers in town to start taking measures in town to deter shoplifters.’’

In Tokoroa a 41-year woman was seriously assaulted by her partner.

Hill said a 26-year old man had been charged.

He appeared in the Rotorua District Court on Monday and was remanded with bail.

The matter will go back to court in January 2015 for sentencing.

The small drink driving campaign rolled out two weeks ago seemed to have worked, according to Hill.

Two drink drivers were caught last week compared to eight the week before.

Police will push the campaign three weeks leading up to the changeover of the new legal limits, he said. Tokoroa Volunteer fire brigade ended the quiet week with ‘‘suspicious’’ rubbish fires in the CBD.

Fire chief Dave Morris said the brigade was called out to extinguish four rubbish fires at 10.40pm on Sunday . Morris said the Tokoroa police had been notified.

Fireworks are on sale and Morris said while Tokoroa residents were generally sensible, precautions always needed to be taken. Fireworks should be lit by an adult and animals should be locked away. ‘‘Once you’re finished lighting the fireworks, walk around the area and make sure there are no embers.’’

Putaruru Volunteer Fire Brigade was reasonably quiet with a minor scrub fire and medical assists.