Category: Security

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency services are responding to a crash involving a cyclist on State Highway 29 near Pond Road, Matamata.

Police received the report around 10:35am.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

State Highway 29 is closed and diversions are being put in place, motorists are advised to take an alternate route.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Police Commissioner Richard Chambers:

Police have been extremely heartened with the response from the local community and across New Zealand following the tragic death of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.

This morning, with a number of Police staff present, Iwi from across Te Tau Ihu blessed the scene of yesterday’s tragic events.

I would like to thank Iwi for their support, along with members of the community who have delivered flowers, cards, and the thousands of messages we have received. These have meant a lot to our staff in Nelson as well as to the wider Police family.

The coming days, weeks and months are going to be tough for the staff in Nelson as they come to terms with what has happened but it is an absolute priority for Police that we wrap support around the staff directly impacted as well as the wider station.

Additionally, a number of Police forces across Australia, the Pacific, and Canada have reached out to New Zealand Police to offer their condolences.

I am relieved to report that Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay is now in a stable condition. He is beginning his recovery journey for which Police will be with him every step of the way.

The two members of the public who were injured are also continuing to recover and we are ensuring they are being supported.

We are doing everything we can for Lyn’s family but this is an incredibly difficult time for them as they come to terms with what has happened. 

We expect to provide a further update to media later today as the investigation progresses.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Otago Lakes Area Police are urging parents to know where their teens are and take responsibility for their welfare, after emergency services responded to a large disorder in Wanaka last night.

Police were called to Dinosaur Park around midnight after a report of about 300 young people gathered there and multiple fights breaking out.

At least three serious assaults were reported, involving young people being knocked unconscious, along with numerous other more minor assaults.

Acting District Commander Inspector Matt Scoles says it was disappointing that many of those present appeared to have been supplied alcohol.

“We know it’s a time of year where lots of people are out celebrating and having a good time.

“But we need parents to make sure their young people are acting responsibly, knowing where they are and what they are doing.

“I’m sure many parents would have been horrified to learn their teens had been putting themselves in danger, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and engaging in violent altercations.

“It’s extremely dangerous for all involved when we have young people drinking under the legal age and gathering en masse without any supervision.”

Inspector Scoles says many of those involved were from out of town, with families in Wanaka on holiday.

He urges families on holiday to stick together and enjoy time away from home responsibly.

“Please, keep track of your kids, and have a plan with them around how everyone is going to stay safe.

“We don’t want to be knocking on your door at 2am telling you something serious has happened involving your teenager.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attributable to Inspector Danny Kirk, Tairāwhiti Area Commander:

Tairāwhiti Police were overall pleased and impressed with the behaviour of the visitors to the region and our local residents.

Rhythm and Vines attendees were a neat bunch of Kiwis and our staff found them very polite and respectful. This view was echoed by our emergency service and healthcare partners.

While overall the behaviour was good, there were a few arrests at Rhythm and Vines for matters including an assault, possession of controlled drugs for supply and breaching bail conditions. There were no serious injuries reported from the assault. 

On New Year’s Day, Police operated three road checkpoints in the environs of Rhythm and Vines and tested nearly 6000 drivers for alcohol. This resulted in 13 people being summoned to appear in court for driving with an excess breath or blood alcohol level. Fifteen infringement notices were issued for breath alcohol offences.

This year’s numbers are a significant reduction from the number of people prosecuted for driving while impaired at the same checkpoints last year. However, our aim remains for no one to ever get behind the wheel impaired by drugs or alcohol, and drivers need to take this responsibility seriously.

Police were also pleased with the behaviour of visitors and locals in the holiday hot spot of Mahia. This year we noted a much smaller presence of holiday goers for New Year’s Eve, and this is likely attributable to the poor weather conditions across the region.

Police will continue to have an increased presence across the Tairāwhiti region, especially holiday hotspots, monitoring and ready to respond to unlawful activity as it arises.

If you witness any suspicious or unlawful activity, please contact police on 111 if its happening now or 105 if it’s after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

The provisional number of road deaths in 2024 stands at 289, down from 341 in 2023.

Police say while there has been a reduction in the number of families torn apart by road deaths this past year, any number is too high.

Superintendent Steve Greally, Director Road Policing, says Police are doing everything they can to help bring this number down.

“Our officers have done, and are doing, as much as humanly possible out on the roads working to reduce the number of death and serious-injury crashes,” he says.

Police have more than doubled the number of alcohol breath tests conducted over the last couple of years, and are on track to conduct more than 4 million by the end of the financial year in June 2025.

Police has also had the same focus on speed enforcement.

Since December 2022, when police launched Operation Open Roads, New Zealand has seen a significant reduction in death and serious injury.

“Our frontline is passionate about preventing serious crashes, so if you are one of those people who is determined to put people’s lives at risk and you are caught, you should not expect a warning,” Superintendent Greally says.

“Given the increased levels of Police enforcement, the chances of being caught are high.

“What we need is for drivers to do their bit – and that’s to consciously make sensible decisions before they get behind the wheel, and when they’re on the road.”

Superintendent Greally says the role of the motorist is very simple.

“Ensure everyone in your vehicle is safely buckled up, drive at a safe speed for the conditions under the speed limit, put your cellphone away, and ensure you’re driving free of fatigue, alcohol, and drugs.”

Police are urging those travelling over the summer period to take heed of this advice, have patience, and get to where they’re going safely.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Sergeant Christopher Rigby of Invercargill Police:

A man has been arrested after attempting to break into a rural home in Motu Rimu, this morning, (Wednesday 1 January).

At about 11:50am Police responded to a Motu Rimu Road address after the homeowner reported seeing, through their security cameras, an unknown man on their property attempting to break into the house with tools.

Police swiftly responded along with a Police Dog Unit, however prior to Police arrival the man had fled. He was tracked to bushland north of the property where he was arrested.

The 32-year-old man is due to appear in the Invercargill District Court on a charge of Burglary tomorrow, Thursday 2 January.

CCTV Footage proved invaluable in this case, alerting the homeowner to the man entering their property and allowing them to see the footage in real time.

Police recommend CCTV for any homeowner, but especially those living rurally, not only can it alert you as it is happening, but it is also a crucial tool in identifying offenders and it can provide critical evidence.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Please attribute to Police Commissioner Richard Chambers:

It’s with a heavy heart that I announced that a Police officer has been killed following an incident in Nelson in the early hours of this morning.

At just after 2am this morning, two police officers were on a routine foot patrol in Buxton Square carpark in Nelson when completely unprovoked, a vehicle drove towards them, at speed, hitting both of them.

Both officers were transported to Nelson Hospital in a critical condition, and it is here that one of the officers has sadly succumbed to her injuries sustained in the incident.

She was Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. A widely respected police officer with 38 years front line service. She was also a loved and cherished, daughter, mother, wife and valued member of the wider Nelson community.

Lyn was a beautiful soul and her death will be felt across the Nelson community and our Police family.

Her injured colleague, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, also a very senior and experienced officer with 16 years’ service. He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Two members of the public were also injured in this incident. Both are reported to be stable.  One other Police officer was assessed and discharged from hospital.

The driver of the vehicle was tasered and then arrested at the scene. The 32-year-old man is due to appear in Nelson District Court this Friday and will be charged with serious criminal offences. 

Police officers immediately tried to perform first aid acting admirably in what was an incredibly dynamic and dangerous situation. Members of the public were present and attempted to assist our staff. I thank them for this.

Lyn and Adam, like so many of our officers were working on New Years Eve to keep people safe on a night intended for celebration. It fills me with great sadness that their efforts to do so has ended in a senseless act that has taken the life of one of our colleagues and seriously injured another. My absolute priority is to ensure our people and their families are supported as best they can be, during this difficult time.

A Police investigation is underway as we seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

Lyn’s family has come into a new year with the worst possible scenario. We are wrapping support around our staff. I know that officers and police staff across the country will be feeling this loss, as Senior Sergeant Fleming was their colleague and a part of our police family.

Police do not expect there to be any further updates today.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One person has died following a water related incident off the coast of Omaio, Ōpōtiki.

Police responded to Omaio following reports that a man was struggling in the water. He was retrieved by members of the public and CPR was commenced prior to Police arrival.

Emergency services arrived and continued CPR, however efforts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful and he died at the scene.

Enquiries are ongoing and his death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One person has died following a two-vehicle crash on Old West Coast Road near Pitt Road, Darfield, Selwyn.

Police responded around 11am, locating two people in critical condition.

One person has subsequently died at the scene and one person remains in hospital in a critical condition.  

The Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination.

The road remains closed, however should reopen shortly.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Due to staffing constraints, the Police Media Centre will close at 7pm tonight, Wednesday 1 January.

Prior to that time, we will be operating with reduced staff numbers, and will be prioritising urgent matters and incidents.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre