Hopes South Auckland burglaries can be halved

There's hope the number of burglaries in South Auckland can be cut in half with the introduction of a new community scheme.

Counties Manukau Police and local Maori and Pacific wardens have come together to introduce the 'Safe as Houses' operation which will distribute burglary prevention kits to more than 200 homes in the suburb of Viscount.

Former All Black Frank Bunce grew up in the area and his rugby club has been a regular target, he says the scheme is a good start to combating the issue.

"People don't have a lot here anyway, and yet to have to live with the fear of people coming in and taking from you, no-one should have to put up with that."

Mr Bunce says his rugby club has been a regular target, and that people in the community live in fear.

"There's a good heart out in that little part of our suburb, so anything that we can do together to help them live a better life, I think is well worth it."

Currently people living in Viscount have a one in 10 chance of having their home burgled each year.

Photo: NZ Herald