Arrest made and car impounded in Gisborne boy racer crackdown

A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged, and had his car impounded, near Te Karaka this week. Photo / Eastern District Police

Gisborne police have made an arrest and impounded a car amid a crackdown on reckless driving and anti-social behaviour during the New Year’s festival period.

A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged, and had his car impounded, after police responded to reports of about a dozen vehicles participating in “anti-social road activity” on the corner of Whatatutu Rd and Matawai Rd, State Highway 2 just past Te Karaka township.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park said police received multiple reports from disgruntled members of the public, and the group quickly dispersed when police arrived.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park said police received multiple reports from disgruntled members of the public about a gathering of vehicles this week. Photo / Eastern District Police

One vehicle allegedly fled from police after being signalled to stop for continuing to drive dangerously.

The vehicle was secured and impounded by police after they found it further up Whatatutu Rd.

Park said police identified the driver after further inquiries and arrested him on Tuesday.

He is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on January 5, charged with failing to stop when required, dangerous driving and operating a vehicle causing sustained loss of traction.

“We’d like to thank the members of the public for reporting the anti-social activity in a timely manner, allowing police to disperse the group,” Park said.

“As we have previously said, anti-social road user behaviour is reckless and wreaks havoc on our communities. We won’t stand for it.

“If you break the law, you can expect to face the consequences. If we do not catch up with you at the time, you can expect a knock at the door and follow-up action to be taken.”

Police earlier said the Eagle helicopter had been deployed in Gisborne, alongside a heavy police presence on the roads, to combat reckless driving and anti-social behaviour.