Visit the
police website for crime prevention and safety information in 11 languages.
Domestic safety
Children under 14 years of age should never be left at home by themselves, they need a caregiver to provide adequate supervision.
Family violence is not OK. For confidential help or advice, contact:
Christchurch Resettlement Services phone (03) 335 0311 .
- Shakti Ethnic Women’s Support Group or free phone 0800 742 584 (0800 SHAKTI).
Victim Support free phone 0800 842 846 (0800 VICTIM).
Christchurch Police phone (03) 363 7400 .
Motor vehicle crime
Install an alarm in your car.
Always lock your car, even at a petrol station or when parked outside your house.
Always close the car windows.
Do not leave any valuables in your car.
Park your car in well-lit areas at night.
If your car is stolen, report this to the police immediately.
When you are driving, hide your purse or wallet. Don’t leave it on the seat beside you.
Preventing burglaries
- Install an alarm in your house.
Install security bolts to your doors and windows.
When away from your house for a long period of time, arrange for lawn-mowing and for a neighbour to empty your letterbox so that your house looks like someone is home.
Do not hide spare keys in obvious places such as in the letterbox or under a doormat.
Display your house number clearly from the street to help emergency services find your house.
- Get to know your neighbours.
If you are working in your garden and the house is empty, lock the front and back doors.
When you are shopping
- Do not carry large amounts of cash or multiple credit cards with you.
Do not leave your purse open or unattended in a supermarket shopping trolley.
Be careful to shield the key pad when you are entering your
PIN at an ATM or EFTPOS machine so that no one else can see it.
Do not go to dark areas at night and, if you have to, travel with other people.
Beach safety
Mountain safety
If you plan to go into the forest or river areas around Canterbury, be well-prepared.
Weather conditions can change quickly from clear skies to stormy weather. Phone the
Department of Conservation on 341 9102 to receive free up-to-date information on mountain weather conditions during normal working hours. During the weekend, phone the
Met Service 0900 99903. The Met Service charge is $1 for each minute.
Civil Defence
Christchurch may experience earthquakes, floods, storms, tsunamis, and pandemics. You need to prepare yourself before an emergency occurs. Follow the Survival Guide information at the back of Yellow Pages or www.getthru.govt.nz.
You must be able to support yourself and your family immediately after a disaster for three days or more, so make a family emergency plan and prepare a survival kit. Go to www.ccc.govt.nz/cdem for further information.
For information about flu pandemics visit www.fluinfo.org.nz. Language specific information is available from Partnership Health Canterbury phone (03) 375 7136 .
Tips for children
- Never accept sweets, money or gifts from a stranger.
- Never accept a ride from a stranger.
- Never tell anyone over the phone that you are home alone.
- If you get lost in a supermarket or shopping mall, ask somebody who works there to help you find your parents.
