As we know, opportunistic criminals do not stop at one crime.
Deb Hann
More quick thinking by a retailer last Thursday resulted in a returning Hamilton shoplifter being arrested in Cambridge. The shoplifter was caught in the middle of a further theft and added a total of three charges between Cambridge and Hamilton to his offending. He is now going through the court process accordingly.
Then in the wee hours of last Sunday morning, the owner of a commercial yard saw two people on his property via CCTV. Police were called and intercepted two females walking a short distance away. They subsequently hid near their vehicle. Drugs and paraphernalia were located and one female was arrested for those and two other theft offences. Further charges may follow.
In other good catches, a male was arrested in Hamilton last week after he was found to be wanted for theft of registration plates and petrol – an incident that occurred in Leamington in March 2025. This is an example that where there is compelling evidence linking a suspect to a crime, it will be dealt with wherever they are located (while within the statute of limitations of the crime). In this case, he faced these and other charges in court and was remanded in custody.
Drug addiction is one driver of such crime. The need to pay for the next fix often leads people into dishonesty offending – stealing items to swap directly for drugs or sell for cash to pay for them. If you suspect illegal drug dealing is occurring in your neighbourhood, providing information to Police can begin to address the issue by helping us to disrupt the supply chain. Signs of possible drug dealing are high numbers of short term visitors to an address, specific odours – cannabis or chemicals, commodity stolen items such as power tools being taken into the address, regular visitations, noise or commotion overnight or witnessing exchanges of money for parcels. You can report to 105 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
At the other end of the problem, we can try to reduce the demand for drugs. if you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, help is available. Cambridge Community House provides an alcohol and drug addiction counselling service free of charge to the community. Such addictions not only affect the person themselves but can have a significant effect on their whaanau and the wider community. Addressing what lies behind the addiction is the first step forward.
Cambridge Community House
