CityWatch: Improving Safety in the City Centre

Improving Safety in the City Centre: A Joint Collaboration - CityWatch, Auckland Council and NZ Police Operation

Safety and Security is one of the highest priorities for ensuring that the city centre is a great place to do business.

The CityWatch programme is one of the safety programmes in place that aims to improve the perception and experience of safety in the city centre. Managed by Auckland Council with funding and support from Heart of the City, it is primarily responsible for compliance of the Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw. The bylaw addresses (non-criminal) issues relating to public safety and nuisance – including inappropriate behaviour in public spaces such as begging that is carried out in an intimidating way, as well as rubbish and personal goods being left in public spaces.

A Joint Collaboration: CityWatch, NZ Police and Council Waste Team Operation

This week a targeted operation between the CiyWatch Team, NZ Police and Councils waste team began, with a focus on ensuring that the city centre’s footpaths and public places look, feel and operate safely, cleanly and without obstruction or intimidation. The two week operation will occur over the early morning commuting times, lunchtimes and evenings.

The operation will be encouraging compliance with the bylaw and ensuring people are aware of their requirements particularly around tidiness and rubbish.

How to report a safety issue

The CityWatch team are able to help with moving on unpermitted street traders, buskers, begging where it is causing a public nuisance and assisting with disorderly behaviour occurring on public property.

To report an incident please call the Auckland Council Call Centre on (09) 301 0101 so a job can be logged and a guard sent out. The Auckland Council Call Centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more serious crime call the NZ Police on 111.

Find out more about the public safety bylaw or other safety initiatives in the city centre here.