Two new positions dedicated to beat policing are being created in Whakatāne, in efforts to combat ongoing issues with retail crime.

Eastern Bay prevention manager Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon said significant attention and resources were being looked at in the retail crime space, which sat second only to online fraud as the largest crime type per volume.

He said the region would soon benefit from two new beat cops.

“I anticipate this increased support for Senior Constable Rob Jones will make a visible, definitive and continued dent in retail theft.

“The officers’ primary directive will be to be out and about, increasing the availability of police presence for our local retailers.

“You can expect to see Senior Constable Jones and his enhanced beat team in the next few months.”

The officers will be able to rove to different towns in the region as demand requires.