A Kaitaia businessman is calling for a police blitz on petty crime after an officer was stabbed in the town last night.
Two officers were called to Puriri Place about 9.30pm yesterday to investigate reports of three men acting suspiciously around a stolen car.
Far North Area Commander Inspector Wendy Robilliard said two officers were speaking to the men when the attack occurred.
Ms Robilliard said one officer was struck on the head and the other was stabbed during an attempt to make an arrest.
The officer with stab injuries was treated at Kaitaia and Whangarei Hospitals and was discharged from hospital today.
Ian Walker, who owns several stores in Kaitaia, said smash and grabs, burglaries and car thefts had been common there for too long.
The people who committed the crimes had no respect for the police or the courts, and the stabbing showed they were getting bolder and needed to be taught a lesson, he said.
"If we did have a petty crime blitz ... so the courts were involved, everybody was resourced and we had some results that people started to respect the justice system, as well as the police, I think it would be worth considering.
"But what's occurring at the moment is not working."
Kaitaia's young criminals were always more active at nights and weekends when there were fewer police around, Mr Walker said.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said many police risked injury on a daily basis.
"Frontline police officers have worn vests for several years now and that's certainly provided protection against most stabbing incidents," he said.
"However, a determined offender will always get around that."
The three men ran off after the attack but police said a 17-year-old was to appear in court in relation to the incident.
