Another step towards preventing rural crime

As the daffodils raise their heads and temperatures begin to warm, people like to get out and about and enjoy the spring weather.

Sergeant Rob Irvine of Amberley Police said the flip side is that criminal activity also increases.

The crime prevention app Rural Lookout was launched in May 2022, a tool for reporting suspicious incidents. It compliments Police’s current reporting channels (111, 105, 105 online, station reporting).

As of 1 September 2024, the app had been downloaded across Hurunui and Waimakariri 4466 times and more than 565 reports have been logged. Suspicious persons or vehicles made up the majority of the reports, as well as anti-social road use, wilful damage and drones.

Users can attach photos and add a GPS location, through the geolocation function.

Through Rural Lookout, free security assessments are being offered to rural properties in Hurunui, 0.4ha or bigger.

Sergeant Irvine said two thirds of rural burglaries and thefts occur at properties with little or no security.

“We know rural communities want to prevent crime and harm, so offering free security assessments and subsidised security equipment is a great step towards this.”

Mayor Marie Black has lived rurally in Hurunui her whole life and supports the app as a way of reporting suspicious activity easily and effectively.

“After chatting with local police, it seems clear that too many incidents of rural crime go unreported, which makes the jobs of police much more difficult.”

Sergeant Irvine and Mayor Black agreed that increased security is never a bad idea, and they hope the current assessment will be an incentive.

To download the Rural Lookout app or register your interest in this free security assessment, please visit www.rurallookout.co.nz, email rural.canterbury@police.govt.nz or phone 0800 234 779