Proactive policing has contributed to a problem-free school holiday in Dunedin, Acting Senior Sergeant Tania Baron says.
Officers were assigned to patrol empty school grounds during the term break, as well as "walk the beat" in town where groups of holidaying pupils gathered, she said.
Large congregations of teenagers could be intimidating for members of the public and the police approach during school holidays was to prevent problems by increasing the presence of uniformed officers, she said.
While school pupils were out of the classroom, they were also more at risk.
"More youths around equals more victims potentially, so it's a crime-prevention strategy." Each school is assigned a police education officer, as part of a guardianship arrangement.
Officers work with school staff and board of trustees members, through the Ministry of Education, to ensure school property is protected and pupils are safe.
Acting Snr Sgt Baron said police surveillance was particularly important at schools previously targeted by vandalism and other property-related offending during holiday periods.
