My Account
Firstly, I want to thank the Warkworth community for making me feel so welcome into our beautiful area. I have been the Warkworth Police sergeant for the past eight months, and I’m passionate about this place as I live and raise my own family here. During my time at the Warkworth station there’s been huge changes. When I started, we had 13 constables based at the Station, but due to our area rapidly growing we have expanded to 26 officers, creating a 24-hour response station.
This is a group of special officers that is equally passionate about making a difference in their community, at times putting their lives on the line to protect it. I hope our public, that we serve, sees a visible, high-performing force that gives a better service to our area due to the increase in staff numbers. I often tell our people that you are another set of eyes and ears for the police in detecting and preventing crime.
During this busy summer season, I ask our community to be vigilant in monitoring any suspicious activity. Make sure that anything of value is locked away at night, such as lawn mowers or fuel tanks on boats, and secure your cars. Trades people should lock up their tools. Keep them out of vehicles and out of sight during their holiday break. The lower price and rapid increase in the quality of security cameras makes them a useful consideration for deterring crime and a great crime solving tool also.
I really want to touch base on road safety. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, so remember that during this busy time, we need to have patience. Allow sufficient time to get to your destination, and please don’t drink and drive. Following someone closely is not going to get you there any faster, it’s just increasing your chance of a serious crash.
Please remember the appropriate following distances. This should be four metres every 10 km/h. So at 100km/h you should be 40 metres behind the vehicle in front. I have noticed an increase in ‘boy racer’ activity in our area over the past few months, such as tyre burnout marks all over the roads. Please call us even if it’s just the sound of tyres screeching. At least we can be in the area to prevent crashes and crime. I am getting numerous reports of historic burnouts the next day, but no registrations, unfortunately this limits our investigative efforts. Call 111 if you hear burnouts so we can attend immediately.
If you are considering a career in Police, this is the time to apply. Due to the rapid increase in our required staffing numbers we need more personnel. Please visit newcops.co.nz to see what’s required. Alternatively, volunteer for the community patrol working alongside us in the weekends. Come and talk to me if you’re interested.
Lastly, remember we all live in a slice of paradise called the Warkworth area. Look at our town, our coast, our rural areas. It’s just stunning. Let’s keep it that way. Merry Christmas.
Mark Stallworthy,
Warkworth Police
