Mark Mitchell: Police Minister on the plan to increase police numbers amid violent crime surge - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Police Minister says plans to bolster the force by 500 officers will be enough to get more cops out on the beat.

In the past week, a security guard was stabbed at an Auckland supermarket, two Michael Hill jewellery stores were robbed and a gang fight broke out at Christchurch Hospital.

Resident's in Auckland's Point Chevalier say they're being terrorised by criminals in the town's square.

Minister Mark Mitchell says police will aim to have a higher profile.

"With resources being pushed back into the front line, I think that can be achieved. In fact, it's not a matter of can- it has to be achieved."

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