11. Police Stations—Epsom and Mount Roskill ClosuresDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister of PolicePolice Stations—Epsom and Mount Roskill Closures11. DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister of Police: What reassurance can she give to Epsom residents concerned that their Community Policing Centre will cease to operate after 24 years?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police): I can advise the member that I have asked the same question of Police because I very much understand the value of a community police presence. I have sought assurance that Epsom residents will have continued access to our excellent New Zealand Police service. Police has assured me that police staff will remain very much visible and working in Epsom. Police staff will continue to hold weekly community clinics in Epsom as well as maintaining the presence of a community constable and continuing with foot patrols school visits and community policing as usual.David Seymour: Will the Minister consider setting policy for Police such that the rent paid for premises for community policing centres might keep up with rising property values across the Auckland region?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am sure that that would be actually quite outside ministerial control under the Policing Act 2008.David Seymour: In light of a reduction in hours of attendance by police at the policing centre does the Minister anticipate that police numbers will increase to reduce pressure on that duty as well as others faced by the police across the Auckland region? Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am sure that that member has heard both the Prime Minister and me state that there will in fact need to be an increase in resourcing into the future and I expect that he will want to wait for that announcement.David Seymour: Does the Minister see the value in a monthly newsletter circulated by volunteers at the centre including tips for fighting crime for residents and crime statistics provided to them by local police?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Yes. Stuart Nash: Are there any plans to permanently close any more community policing centres other than those in Ellerslie Panmure and Epsom which were confirmed over the weekend?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: That decision would be made by the Police—it is an operational decision—and as far as I am aware no.Stuart Nash: Are there any plans to reopen the Mount Roskill station to the public as it was for many years before it was recently closed? Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I am sure that member is fully aware that the matter is simply being addressed around the health and safety issues of volunteers in that particular kiosk. I would also say to him that I am however very soon about to open a new police station in the city of Napier. I am sure that the local member would want to congratulate the Police on what an excellent station it is going to be.David Seymour: In light of the Minister's quite proper inability to intervene in operational matters of the Police what are residents concerned about a lack of funding for community policing centre premises able to do to have their concerns heard?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Obviously the local member has raised the issue quite properly and it is a matter that I am sure the Police are listening to. In relation to resourcing of police New Zealand Police is currently at an incredibly high level of public satisfaction—I think it is now 84 percent which is a long way from the 28 percent of some other parties.Mr SPEAKER: Order!Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I believe that the people of Epsom will see some very good progress in the future.