Avondale Community Watch

02/06/2026

Heads up, community.

Thieves are active in the area targeting infinity hot water systems, most likely stripping them to sell for scrap.

The CCTV still above was captured by a local resident who woke up to a missing hot water system.

Protect your property. Check your systems, talk to your neighbours, and report anything suspicious to Police.

26/05/2026

An alleged burglar who got spooked by a security guard and thought he was in the clear has been sniffed out by our four-legged friends.

At about 2.10am, Police were notified of an unknown person inside a Blockhouse Bay Road property by an onsite security guard.

Auckland City West Area Commander, Inspector Jacqui Whittaker, says officers responded quickly and noted the alleged offender had gained entry through a window.

“The offender has clearly been inside the vacant property collecting copper, which we located hidden inside a bag in one of the rooms.

“Delta has then started tracking away from the property and found a man matching the description.

“He was taken into custody on Leinster Street without incident.”

Inspector Whittaker says a search of the alleged offender found tools and gloves.

“We hope this arrest provides reassurance to the community.”

Police continue to encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour, or who has information that may assist ongoing investigations, to contact Police on 105 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 57-year-old man has been charged with burglary and possessing instruments for burglary and will appear in Auckland District Court on Thursday.

21/05/2026

18/05/2026

🔎 Top 10 Things to Remember When Identifying a Person:

Sometimes in the moment, it’s easy to miss important identifying details when trying to remember someone.

Here are a few simple tips to help you stay observant and take note of key features that matter:

✅ Age & general age range
✅ Gender & body build
✅ Height & overall stature
✅ Complexion & noticeable features
✅ Hair style, color & facial hair
✅ Clothing — colors, patterns, layers
✅ Distinguishing marks (tattoos, scars, piercings)
✅ Unique traits (walk, speech, physical characteristics)
✅ Behaviour & mannerisms (gestures, habits)
✅ Direction of travel (on foot, vehicle details, where they went)

The more details you remember, the more helpful your description can be. Make notes as soon as you can, even a voice note on your phone. Awareness can make all the difference.

Stay vigilant and help keep our community safe.

18/05/2026

⚠️ Community Awareness ⚠️

These two individuals allegedly worked together to remove items from a local superette on Rosebank Road this morning around 9am.

The individual in the blue hat appeared to act as a lookout during the incident. The shopkeeper was also assaulted.

Thank you to the Police for their quick response, and to the community members who assisted afterwards.

Please stay vigilant and report suspicious or criminal behaviour to Police.

02/05/2026

Police have completed the ‘Tour de Avondale’, recovering one woman’s sole form of transport.

Police have completed the ‘Tour de Avondale’, recovering one woman’s sole form of transport.

This week Senior Constable Fletcher Hillier from Avondale Police was at a local address carrying out enquiries.

A light blue Benno e-bike parked outside looked out of place. No one could tell Police whose e-bike it was.

Police seized the bike, with Senior Constable Hillier completing the Tour de Avondale riding it back to the station.

We soon unwound the mystery and identified the rightful owner, thanks to assistance from the Electric Bike Team.

Kat’s sole form of transport had only just been stolen from her central Auckland apartment.

She had been in the process of reporting it stolen and feared she wouldn’t see it again. A phone call from us changed all of that.

Kat was soon at the Avondale Police Station getting her wheels back.

Our enquiries remain ongoing into the initial theft, but it’s fantastic we could return the bike so quickly.

24/04/2026

Nice to see Avondale Community Patrol and Police out and about on the street.

That visible presence matters. It builds confidence, reassures businesses and locals.

This is part of the Avondale Business Association’s ongoing plan to better coordinate and advocate for safety organisations and resources into our area.

Creating a safer environment is more than just responding to issues, it’s about creating a consistent, visible presence that helps prevent them in the first place.



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20/04/2026

Officers also noticed a hole in the fence outside,” Acting Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Nick Salter, says.

“A short time later the vehicle’s owner returned claiming he had just been for a run, however checks revealed he was trespassed from the store after previously stealing items.”

Security cameras have assisted in the lock up of four alleged burglars across Auckland overnight.

At about 1.30am, Police were contacted by a Greenlane homeowner after his CCTV alerted him to a possible intruder.

Senior Sergeant Bronwyn Matthews, Auckland City East, says the victim wasn’t at home at the time.

He immediately contacted Police and described a vehicle leaving the address with his trailer attached.

“Police camera operators were able to track the vehicle as it made its way along Campbell Road heading towards Onehunga.

“A short time later a Police unit spotted the van on Waller Street and the three occupants were taken into custody.”

Senior Sergeant Matthews says the trailer was returned to the victim and the trio charged with burglary.

Just a few hours later at about 4.15am, Police were contacted by a New Lynn grocery store owner who had allegedly spotted a possible thief on his store’s CCTV.

Upon Police arrival, a vehicle was parked outside the shop and the store’s alarm was sounding.

“Officers also noticed a hole in the fence outside,” Acting Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Nick Salter, says.

“A short time later the vehicle’s owner returned claiming he had just been for a run, however checks revealed he was trespassed from the store after previously stealing items.”

Acting Inspector Salter says the man was taken into custody and enquiries are continuing.

“Our community deserves to go about their business without the threat of being a victim of crime and we will continue to respond and hold these offenders to account.

“However we cannot do this alone, if you witness any suspicious or unlawful activity, please contact Police with as much information as possible.”

You can contact Police on 111, or for non-emergencies through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking "Make a Report" or call 105.

Three people will appear in court over the Greenlane burglary.

A 51-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman charged with burglary will appear in Auckland District Court on Friday.

A 34-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court on Friday charged with burglary, unlawfully in an enclosed yard and possession of instruments for burglary.

15/04/2026

Under the Crimes Act 1961, intentionally damaging or defacing someone else’s property, including through tagging or graffiti can result in criminal charges.

Penalties can include fines, community work, or other consequences, and offenders may also be required to pay for the cost of cleaning or repairing the damage.

For local businesses and residents, this kind of damage creates real costs and affects the look and feel of the mainstreet.

Many small businesses have to spend their own time and money removing it.

If you see vandalism happening, contact Police on 111 if it is occurring at the time. Otherwise it can be reported through Police on 105.

12/04/2026

In this clip, the same individual can be seen continuing to tag additional shops along the street.

This type of vandalism impacts multiple local businesses. What might take only a few seconds to do can cost shop owners time and money to clean and repair.

Under the Summary Offences Act 1981, intentionally damaging or defacing property, including graffiti or tagging is an offence.

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