Police Reports & Procedures
Police Reports
Police – The Parnell Business Association fosters a relationship with the local police with the aim of creating awareness of specific community incidents and problems. In the past years we have had varying success, mostly attributable to the resources the police are able to provide. The police regularly provide us monthly stats of the crime incidents in Parnell. Businesses are encouraged to please report all crimes to the police in order to enable ongoing tracking.
How to Execute a Trespass Notice
There will be many different reasons why you might want someone to leave your store. These may be because people are committing offences on your property, such as shoplifting, being disorderly or simply having no right to be there.
There is no legal requirement to give a trespass notice in writing. A written document reinforces the situation for the person given the trespass notice, so that they cannot say they did not know of the notice and requirement to leave and not return.
Verbal trespass
If you deliver a trespass notice verbally, where possible, take a picture of the person you have verbally trespassed (either with your phone or from any CCTV within the store). On that picture record the date, time, person issuing the verbal trespass along with the reason for giving a trespass notice to that person. If the trespassed person breaches the notice, this photo is used as evidence. If you are unable to gain a picture, note down a name (if known) or description of the person asked to leave. You do not have to provide a reason to the person you are trespassing as to why you want them to leave. If they become unco-operative, call 111 and ask for Police assistance.
Written trespass
If you undertake a written notice, complete three copies of the Trespass Notice:
- One copy to the person you are serving the trespass notice on
- One copy for you to keep
- One copy to provide to the nearest Police station or attending police officer, for entering into the Police records database.
To serve a notice you simply hand it to the person. If they refuse to accept it and drop it on the floor, it is still considered served. Keep that copy and note down that the person refused to accept the notice.
You are required to give reasonable time for the trespasser to leave. If the person remains or is taking unreasonable time to comply, call 111 and ask for Police. Reasonable time in a store is the time for them to turn around and walk back out. If the person comes back after you have given them a trespass notice, they will have committed an offence. You should call 111 and ask for Police.
For further information on crime prevention, please refer to http://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publication/business-crime-prevention-advice
