A safe Hutt Valley for all

Our City Safety work is guided by our Leisure and Wellbeing Strategy.

Safe Hutt Valley

Hutt City Council works with other organisations to make our city a safe place.

Safe Hutt Valley is made up of senior representatives from agencies working in the community safety space (Police, Hutt City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, ACC, Regional Public Health to name a few).

Safe Hutt Valley was formed late in 2008. Its work allowed Hutt Valley to receive international accreditation as a safe community in 2010 from the World Health Organisation. Safe Hutt Valley also obtained re-accreditation for the Hutt Valley in 2015 after meeting stringent criteria set by the Safer Communities Foundation NZ. 

We've developed a Safe Hutt Valley strategy, with work streams in injury prevention, crime prevention, road safety, family violence prevention, and alcohol harm minimisation. 

Community Safety Camera System (CSCS)

We've installed 41 cameras around Lower Hutt. Council owns and maintains the cameras; they're monitored at the Lower Hutt Police station by a group of dedicated volunteers.

We clearly signpost all areas where cameras are operating:

Council is currently building its camera network in line with a 5 year strategic approach. The capital building phase is under way, and will see us install more cameras.

Read more information about our CCTV camera system, including maps of the current camera locations.

Other ways we help

Crime prevention through environmental design

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is based upon the principle that the environment can affect both the level of crime and the fear of crime in an area. Good design can minimise the risk of crime in an area. We support positive CPTED input to new development as well as positive CPTED changes to existing public places.

Alcohol harm minimisation

To manage public consumption of alcohol, we work with Police, Regional Public Health, ACC, Upper Hutt City Council, ALAC, the Fire Service and the Hospitality Association. This involves creating and policing liquor ban areas, event management, dealing with enforcement and licensing issues, alcohol accords and education activities.

Safe City Ambassadors

Safe City Ambassadors patrol streets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights across the city.

Their role is to:

• look out for people’s safety when they go to their cars or catch public transport home
• make people feel more comfortable when they are out at night
• look out for criminal activity and report it to the Police for action
• provide a presence on the streets that prevents crime
• report any damage to property to Council.

People who keep us safe

Safety in our streets and in our homes

Council helps local voluntary organisations work together, sharing resources and information to help make our city a safe place. Below we've listed some of the community organisations for our region.

Community patrols

A community patrol is a voluntary group of citizens who assist Police and Council by patrolling the community in vehicles and reporting back any issues or incidents they observe. There are currently community patrols operating in Wainuiomata, Naenae, Petone, and Stokes Valley.

Neighbourhood Support

Neighbourhood Support is the hub of a network of local groups, partners and sponsors. The organisation is supported by NZ Police.

The aims of Neighbourhood Support:

• create safe and caring neighbourhoods and communities
• reduce criminal offending and its consequences
• build community resilience
• strengthen community networks to improve locals' wellbeing.

Why join a Neighbourhood Support group?

There's strength in numbers. A Neighbourhood Support group brings local people together to share information, ideas and connectedness. Together, you can assist one another to:

• solve local problems and nuisances
• minimise antisocial behaviour and help prevent crime
• support victims of crime
• learn to prepare for civil defence emergencies
• engage Police, other emergency services or support agencies
• liaise and cooperate with other like-minded community groups.

Community Safety Camera operators

Working from the Lower Hutt Police Station, these volunteers carry out three hour shifts monitoring the cameras for signs of trouble. They will then notify the appropriate authorities to respond.

They also provide a valuable service to Police by conducting searches of historic footage, downloading it, and supplying it to Police for investigations and prosecutions.

Want to help?

Anyone wanting to find out more about these organisations, or to join up, should get in touch with us - we can direct you to the right contacts.