Police Snippets

 

Helping shape your Kaipara Local police say they have had a ‘crazy busy time’ over the festive season, maintaining a visible presence with ongoing patrols between Mangawhai and Wellsford, and responding to a range of misdemeanours, call-outs and lost property reports.

However Constable Dale Wewege says considering the large holiday numbers, people were generally well behaved. “We’ve had the odd drunk driver but people seems to be using the local driving services and courtesy vehicles more which is good, the numbers of intoxicated driver have definitely gone down, and Northern Bass went off well,” he says. “Crime hasn’t been too bad but we did attend a number of family harm incidents, usually in relation to alcohol or financial stress, and handed out a number of speeding tickets especially along Molesworth Drive by the activity zone.”

Police also had a large number of lost, misplaced or taken property reported, with most calls coming from out-of-towners. Items ranged from numerous wallets, hearing aids, cell phones, tablets, prescription glasses, sunglasses and a quantity of jewellery including 18 carat gold wedding bands, necklaces, expensive watches and a set of engagement rings worth $11,000.

A back pack was also taken from a vehicle at Mangawhai Heads Surf Beach, and towel and car keys from Te Arai while the owner was swimming. Two distinctive looking helmets, a red ‘Polaris’ brand, the other a black motocross style with blue straps, both with goggles attached, were also stolen off a couple of mopeds while the owners were swimming at the estuary’s pontoon on January 8.

“A kayak has also been found and handed in to us recently, so if you think it’s yours, call into Wellsford Police Station and give a description,” Wewege says. “If you find any lost items or have any information about the reported items please let us know, either drop into Mangawhai or Wellsford station or call 105, the non-emergency number.”