A community leader in Manurewa says new police policy has driven a sharp drop in crime in the Counties-Manukau region.
The chair of the Manurewa Local Board, Daniel Newman, says the region's 7.8% drop in crime last year is thanks to police initiatives that target peak offending times with more police officers and better community relations.
Mr Newman says that in the past residents couldn't be sure police would have the resources to respond to crime but now they have greater confidence in the force.
He adds that there is still work to be done, especially with rises in armed violence and illegal drug crimes, but a good start has been made.
