Whakatāne police are urging the community to use them to intervene in low-level disputes before they escalate to violence or property damage.

Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon said police were regularly made aware of and became involved in low-level disputes between family members or neighbours.

“Police encourage those in our community who have been impacted by any form of duress or bullying behaviour, wherever it may originate from, to seek out some guidance via the police here at Whakatāne Police Station.

“Early intervention, and perhaps just getting some messaging out about this topic, will have unseen positives.”

He said that just as with scamming, which anyone could become a victim of, it could often be hard to report the behaviour once it occurred.

Mr MacKinnon wants to get the message out that an early discussion with a police officer may be able to help.

“The more knowledge and the more discussions we have on an issue can inch us closer to a fix.

“I have encountered numerous examples where a personalised approach to an issue – be it between two family members or two neighbours – can iron out a problem and avoid it escalating to further violence and damage to persons or property.

“At Whakatāne, we have dedicated officers and a dedicated family harm team, and they can readily help all members of the community to intervene in any issue. They have a mantra built entirely around early intervention.

“Just getting that message out there to the community: if you’re having a beef with a neighbour, or any issues with family, feel free to come into the police station and talk to us about it.”