Police seize car, issue fines after illegal road gathering in Lower Hutt

A BMW was seized during a police operation in Lower Hutt on Friday night.

Police broke up an anti-social gathering of road users in Lower Hutt last night, issuing dozens of fines, pink and green stickers, and seizing a car and fireworks.

About 200 cars had gathered at Queensgate Shopping Centre for a Gumboot Friday fundraiser, and police said they wanted to engage positively with drivers.

Checkpoints then blocked a pack of 50 who left the main group heading towards Paremata, Hutt Valley area prevention manager Acting Inspector Gareth Barnes said.

The operation “went down without a hitch”, Barnes said.

Drivers then tried to set up meets in Thorndon, Seaview, Melling, Naenae and along Fergusson Drive.

Police were able to stay ahead of the group and “the group were never able to take hold of any one location”.

“This comes down to the great planning and execution from the team and I would like to commend all those involved in their efforts,” Barnes said.

Police issued dozens of infringement notices for speeding and licence breaches, with 10 cars receiving pink and green compliance stickers.

Police also confiscated fireworks that had been fired from a sunroof.

“We checked every car leaving and found some to be showing signs of intended anti-social road user behaviour, such as being seen with boot-loads of spare tyres and even one towing a dedicated skid car.”

Police are committed to disrupting all anti-social road user behaviour – “it is reckless and wreaks havoc on our communities”, Barnes said.

Barnes urged the public to report any unlawful or dangerous road user activity as soon as possible.

“We will continue to take action to proactively prevent this kind of activity,” Barnes said.