Key Takeaways
- Tairāwhiti police successfully concluded their New Year operation with multiple arrests and infringement notices
- Over 20,000 festival goers attended Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne, with four people arrested for various offences
- Police breath tested approximately 12,000 drivers, with 25 found to be in breach of the rules
- The police Eagle helicopter was deployed to Gisborne to provide aerial support and rapid response
- Plans for a large gathering linked to anti-social road behaviour were "successfully thwarted" by police
Introduction to the Operation
The Tairāwhiti police have successfully concluded their New Year operation, which involved overseeing a large crowd of festival goers at Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne. The operation, which was led by Area Commander Danny Kirk, also involved keeping an eye out for possible boy racer gatherings and anti-social road behaviour. According to Kirk, the past few days had been particularly busy, with police working hard to maintain order and ensure public safety. Despite the large crowd, festival goers were generally well behaved, with only a few incidents reported.
Arrests and Infringement Notices
Four people were arrested during the operation, with charges including supplying drugs, breaches of bail, possession of an offensive weapon, and behaving threateningly. In addition to these arrests, police also issued multiple infringement notices for various offences. In Mahia, one person was arrested on New Year’s Eve for breaching bail conditions. These arrests and infringement notices demonstrate the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the region, and to keeping the community safe. The police’s efforts were likely aided by the large presence of officers at the festival, as well as the use of technology such as the police Eagle helicopter.
Road Safety and Enforcement
Police also focused on road safety during the operation, with approximately 12,000 drivers breath tested. Unfortunately, 25 drivers were found to be in breach of the rules, highlighting the importance of police enforcement in this area. The police Eagle helicopter was deployed to Gisborne to provide aerial support and rapid response, and was used to monitor the roads and respond quickly to any incidents. This deployment was likely a key factor in the police’s ability to prevent a large gathering linked to anti-social road behaviour, which was planned but ultimately "successfully thwarted" by police. As part of the operation, police also issued a non-operation order to one vehicle and impounded two others, demonstrating their commitment to taking action against drivers who pose a risk to themselves and others.
Preventing Anti-Social Behaviour
The police’s efforts to prevent anti-social behaviour were successful, with no significant issues arising from anti-social road users. However, one person was arrested for breach of bail, and multiple infringement notices were issued for various offences. The police’s use of the Eagle helicopter and other resources likely played a key role in preventing anti-social behaviour, and in responding quickly to any incidents that did occur. The police’s ability to prevent a large gathering linked to anti-social road behaviour was also a significant achievement, and demonstrates the effectiveness of their operation. By working to prevent anti-social behaviour, the police were able to help keep the community safe, and to ensure that festival goers and other members of the public could enjoy the holiday period without disruption.
Conclusion and Ongoing Presence
In conclusion, the Tairāwhiti police’s New Year operation was a success, with multiple arrests and infringement notices issued. The police’s efforts to maintain law and order, and to prevent anti-social behaviour, were effective, and helped to keep the community safe. The police will continue to maintain an increased presence across the region, especially in holiday hotspots, to ensure that the public remains safe and secure. One person was charged with driving related offences and has been summoned to appear in the Gisborne District Court, demonstrating the police’s commitment to taking action against those who break the law. By maintaining a visible presence and taking action against offenders, the police can help to prevent crime and keep the community safe, and can ensure that festival goers and other members of the public can enjoy the holiday period without disruption. Overall, the Tairāwhiti police’s New Year operation was a success, and demonstrates the police’s commitment to keeping the community safe and secure.
