Siren – June 2021

With so much new development going on, Police are warning builders, contractors and tradies that building sites are increasingly becoming targets for crime. Area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Steve Pivac said thefts and burglaries were on the rise from sites across the Coast and urged construction companies and individuals to ensure tools were not readily visible, or easy to find. He also encouraged them to secure machinery well, saying batteries as well as the machines themselves were being targeted and stolen.

Meanwhile, Silverdale Fire Station senior station officer Jim Maclean warned construction crews to check for hazards before digging, following a recent incident at the Pacific Heights development above Ōrewa.

“A drainlayer found a gas main with his digger,” Jim said. “Fire Crews maintained scene safety and Vector made repairs, but remember to check for existing underground hazards before excavating.”

Crews also had to deal with a large fire in a house being demolished in Forge Road, Silverdale – “a muddy and uncomfortable battle for local volunteers” – as well as two nose-to-tail car crashes on the same morning. Crews did not have to travel far, though, as the first was near Manly Fire Station and the second outside the Silverdale base. “Fortunately no one suffered any significant injury, but especially in these stressful times, remember to maintain adequate distance from the vehicle in front,” Jim said. “If it brakes suddenly, it will become expensive!”

Steve Pivac agreed, saying driving to winter conditions and without distractions such as mobile phones needed to be front of mind for all road users.

Meanwhile, there was good news this month from Police and St John Ambulance. Officers at the Waitematā North tactical crime unit have arrested a second person in relation to a spate of burglaries in Stanmore Bay last month, when a number of properties and vehicles were broken into and items stolen. Police said a 31-year-old man was initially charged and before the courts and now a second man, aged 28, had also been charged for his alleged involvement and had appeared in the North Shore District Court.

Police said they weren’t looking for anyone else in relation to these incidents, and thanked everyone who came forward with information. 

Meanwhile, St John Ambulance has increased its presence in Manly with the opening of a new station there and six new full-time volunteers being recruited – more on this in our next issue.