Email beats crime Police harness cyber power

Matamata police are asking rural residents to sign up to a rural support email scheme running in the Matamata-Piako area.

The system involves police updating residents with relevant information on offending in their area and steps that can be taken to prevent further crime.

Residents are then encouraged to contact police if they see any suspicious activity.

Sergeant Graham McGurk said while information on its own sometimes seemed insignificant, it could relate to ongoing police investigations and should be reported immediately.

‘‘I can’t stress enough, if people see something that doesn’t seem right, contact police straight away,’’ he said.

Mr McGurk said the email scheme recently resulted in the arrest of one of the area’s most active rural burglars.

‘‘As a direct result of that contact, we were able to identify and apprehend this person.’’

Any information provided to police would be treated with complete confidence.

‘‘We’re not trying to pry into people’s personal lives; this is not about surveillance,’’ said Mr McGurk.

‘‘This is about the rural community being able to access information that affects them directly.’’

To sign up to receive the rural support emails, email your name, address, contact details and number of dwellings on your property to Donna. Bergersen@ police .govt.nz. Providing your address means you will receive emails specific to your area.