Wairarapa police are taking no chances with any potential La De Da music festival unruliness, bringing in officers from around and outside the region to help police the event.
The extra officers will be brought in from across the Wellington police district for a three-day period over New Year, with extra
traffic police and a crowd control unit also on the way.
The decision was announced last Tuesday after police leaders met to discuss the operation with La De Da organisers, emergency services, Wairarapa District Health Board, retailers and local iwi, as well as South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples and Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell.
Acting area commander Detective Inspector Paul Basham said the reinforcements would be deployed across Wairarapa, but the focus would be the La De Da concert on December 31 at Alana Estate in Martinborough.
"We are aware of the fact that we've got about 10,000 people coming into the district ... around 40 per cent will be staying on site. That means about 60 per cent will be coming and going. We're hoping for the best but have contingencies in place just in case."
On hand would be the Team Policing Unit, a specialist team which focuses on liquor licensing and alcohol policing, but also has "crowd disorder and control" capabilities.
But despite the beefing up of police numbers, Mr Basham says he does not expect trouble.
"We're not anticipating problems but it's prudent that we have sufficient staff here to cover any eventualities."
He said the hike in police numbers would not stop responsible festival-goers from having a good time.
"We want the community to have fun this New Year. However, police will be out in force to make sure people are having fun safely."
Mrs Staples, who chaired the meeting, said police were "putting a lot of resources into [the operation] and they're putting a lot of planning into it". She said everyone was hoping for an incident-free festive period but said they could not take any chances.
"That's the attitude we're all taking - not expecting trouble but being prepared for it if it comes."
