Festive season gives police a quiet time

Holidaymakers hitting Wairarapa roads for the season ? some a lot faster than others ? have left police likening centres in the region to ghost towns.
Featherston police constable Steve Goggin said south Wairarapa towns including Featherston, Greytown and Martinborough were "deathly quiet" at the weekend and on Christmas Day, and he is crediting a holiday stampede north for the calm.
"I reckon two-thirds of the population have deserted and gone north.
"It's been very quiet, which isn't a bad thing. They've been like ghost towns."
Mr Goggin said he planned to make a round yesterday of the Cape Palliser resort areas, which traditionally attract many visitors over the Christmas and New Year break.
Constable Dave Gallagher, officer in charge at Eketahuna, said the northern Wairarapa district was quiet as well over the past several days although traffic yesterday had increased in volume and in one case, speed.
Mr Gallagher said a male driver yesterday morning was clocked while travelling at 177km/h, although he was an exception to the rule.
"Most drivers are behaving themselves fairly well. I think this is because of an increased police presence on the roads watching out for drink drivers and speeders.
"I have absolutely no time for idiots like that though, and he received a stern lecture and left without his licence."
On Christmas Day a man, 28, was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries after a brief police chase ended with him being thrown from his car during a crash on a road leading into Masterton.
Another 17-year-old man was arrested and charged with a range of traffic offences after being chased down by police on Sunday morning in a car reported stolen in Palmerston North
Masterton police acting sergeant Celia Donaldson said that despite the two car chases and crash, the past several days had also been quiet in Masterton.
Extra night shifts of officers had worked from Friday to Sunday, and Christmas weekend revellers had been orderly and well behaved.
"The bars in town have been very busy but generally it's been pretty quiet ? a very good weekend."