Ten people were arrested during a large anti-social road user event in the Levin and Palmerston North areas overnight, which saw five members of the public and two Police officers injured.
Police were out on the streets overnight with plans in place to keep the gathering in check, including air support from the Police Eagle helicopter, however faced physical attacks on the ground from those present.
“A crowd of around 1,000 people gathered in Levin late last night, many performing burnouts and other driving offences,” said Inspector Ash Gurney.
“Fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle were all used against Police who were attempting to break up the gathering. Two Police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks that did not require hospitalisation.
“Five people were arrested at this location and will face Levin District Court in coming days, on disorderly behaviour and driving charges.
“The large group then moved to the State Highway 57/Tavistock Road intersection, where Police were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including a number of burnouts.
“A pedestrian bystander was hit by a car doing a burnout. People and vehicles blocking the roads delayed an ambulance getting to this person, forcing Police to employ tactical options – including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd- to allow it through.
“During this period, several Police vehicle were damaged and had tyres slashed.
“Police moved this crowd on, which then moved to the intersection of State Highway 56 and Tiakitahuna Road.
“Further burnouts and unsafe driving took place, and four bystanders – aged 16-20 years old – were hit by cars. One female had both of her legs run over. The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries.
“The Police Eagle helicopter assisted staff on the ground in tracking one of the drivers who hit the bystanders. The 18-year-old man was taken into custody after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers, and he is due in Levin District Court on Tuesday on a range of serious charges.
“Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city where the group set up again around 2am – numbers were estimated at around 200 by this stage. The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight.”
Several other instances of single vehicles seen doing skids and burnouts in the Levin area were identified by officers over the next hour or so, with the Police Eagle helicopter proving invaluable in giving officers on the ground relevant information.
“The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,” said Gurney.
“The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death.
“On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no Police officers were seriously injured,” Inspector Gurney says.
Police intend to hold everyone identified as having committed an offence to account, with the Eagle helicopter proving vital in helping gather relevant information to help us follow up.
Officers will have staff deployed from Central District and from Wellington ready to respond to any potential further activity this weekend.
Police intend to hold everyone identified as having committed an offence to account,. I wonder if that applies to those who foisted a bio-weapon disguised as a vaxx upon an unsuspecting and trusting nation
We will NEVER forget.
We can NEVER forgive.
Hell hath no fury like mothers scorned.
Give these PEOPLE an empty airfield, paddock or whatever and GET THE F**K out of PEOPLE’S pursuit of happiness!!!
Hear hear.
The destruction of the family unit through family court, unbalanced tax system that leaves very little for famlies. Not being open about covid jab deaths. Police hustling money from minor trafic infringements when there is very little money to pay for an average week. A police complaints authority that can not convict police. Suscess goverment that create unwanted laws like the release of GE without campaigning on it then calls it democracy. Race and gender based government isn’t proper or right.
If government does not want to be reasonable, honest, democratic, fair or provide a workable environment, rebellion is inevitable.
Proper governance is quarterly referendums. We do not want organisations like WEF and the WHO dictating to us on what is injected into our bodies nor a cashless society that ends privacy and hands total power to government on what you sell, buy, when you and buy, who from , how much and if the money you earned is not switched off. Just how much violence and rebellion will result ?
We are not uninformed to what is happening in NZ and worldwide.
Improper governance leads to street justice and eventually civil war.
The US government is about to open the lid on covid and governments around the world who have participated known to have information from guys like Barry Young will be brought to account.
It wont be a crisis. It will be an end game. Ignore it and you will look as silly, stupid and criminally guilty as the South President did last week.
This is why the law-abiding public should be able to defend themselves, their property and family / others from such criminal brhaviour thru the use of…FIREARMS!!!
The gangs do this…why can’t we????