Police notebook: Rotorua police kept busy with 19 crashes in three days

It was a busy week for Rotorua's road policing unit with 19 crashes in three days and 268 tickets handed out for driving offences.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday police were called out to 19 crashes as temperatures dropped and the roads were coated in black ice.

Rotorua police area prevention manager inspector Brendon Keenan said the majority of the crashes involved single vehicles where the car "slid off the road".

He said it was lucky nobody was seriously injured.

"Staff have been starting their shifts earlier to be out lighting up key areas where black ice is common."

While police dealt with a high number of crashes, they also ticketed 268 drivers.

"At least 160 of those were for speed alone," Keenan said.

"People need to be slowing down and driving to the winter conditions."

He said it was important people reduced speed, increased stopping distances and drove to the conditions.

"Treat every road like it could be an icy road."

Police cracking down on drug deals

Rotorua police have received reports that drug deals are taking place off Tryon St.

Keenan said the timings were widespread from midday through to 10pm.

"Police will be doing routine checks of the area and maintaining a presence."

Investigation into BP robbery

Inquiries are continuing into the robbery at BP Fenton St in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police were called to the service station at 3.30am. The service station was closed for several hours while police conducted a scene examination.

A BP spokeswoman couldn't talk about specifics of the incident but said the company had a policy in place to keep customers and staff safe during such times.

"We also provide counselling to make sure the staff who were working are okay and we do everything possible to make them feel better. It's not very nice when this sort of thing happens."

Stolen vehicles

Police are currently seeking three vehicles, a trailer and a set of registration plates which were stolen at the weekend.

A grey 1996 Nissan Bluebird, registration BTG970, taken from Kingsley Dr, Ngongotahā on Sunday.

A grey 2006 Nissan Elgrand, registration JNR554, taken from Baxter Pl, Owhata on Friday

A silver 2017 Reid trailer, registration 8D898, taken from White St, Fenton Park on Wednesday.

A silver 1998 Mazda Familia, registration CZA682, taken from King St, Victoria on Sunday.

The registration plates XZ4511 were taken from Wharetoroa Dr, Rotoiti on Sunday.