Festival-goers departing Rhythm and Vines had to drive past police checkpoints for sobriety testing. Police have described the behaviour of attendees as good overall. Photo / Supplied
Festival-goers departing Rhythm and Vines had to drive past police checkpoints for sobriety testing. Police have described the behaviour of attendees as good overall. Photo / Supplied
Of about 12,000 drivers breath tested in Tairāwhiti, Mahia and Wairoa over the New Year period, 25 drivers were either issued infringement notices or charged.
Inspector Danny Kirk, Tairāwhiti police area commander, said in a statement that there were four arrests at Rhythm and Vines for supplying drugs and breachesof bail, possession of an offensive weapon and behaving threateningly.
Overall, he said the behaviour of festival-goers was good.
He said it had been particularly busy for Tairāwhiti police over the last few days with the festival, reports of “antisocial road user events” and New Year celebrations, along with heavy rain.
“Meanwhile, in Mahia there was one arrest on New Year’s Eve for breaching bail. Some formal warnings and infringements were given for breaches of the liquor ban, and there were a few minor driving offences,” Kirk said.
Police ran drink-drive checkpoints from Wairoa to the East Coast over the New Year period and tested 12,000 drivers. Photo / Supplied
“There were no significant issues arising from antisocial road users, whose plans for large gathering[s] were successfully thwarted by police.”
The Eagle helicopter was in the air over Gisborne, alongside a heavy police presence on the roads, as part of police efforts to stop reckless driving during the New Year holiday period.
Police made one arrest for breach of bail, and multiple infringement notices were issued for various offences as part of the operation against antisocial road users.
A vehicle was issued with a non-operation order, while two others were impounded. One person was charged with driving-related offences and was summoned to appear in the Gisborne District Court.
“Police will continue to have an increased presence across the Tairāwhiti region, especially holiday hotspots, monitoring and ready to respond to unlawful activity as it arises.”
