Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, April 17, 2023
Police have arrested four people following anti-social behaviour and illegal street racing in Hamilton over the weekend.
A person being assaulted, a car being stolen, cameras being paintballed and dangerous driving were all part of a dramatic night on Hamilton streets.
At about 12.50 am on Saturday, 15 April 2023, Police were called to Pardoa Boulevard, Chartwell after reports of vehicles driving dangerously, multiple vehicles doing burnouts, people partaking in anti-social behaviour and a person firing a paintball gun at a CCTV camera.
Inspector Will Loughrin said that the Police were deployed immediately following this information however, the group fled the scene before the Police’s arrival.
A short time later at a second location near Collins Road and Ohaupo Road, a man was assaulted and left with injuries after confronting this group about their disorderly behaviour. The group then stole his vehicle.
Upon Police arrival at this second location, four people were arrested for disorderly behaviour and a significant amount of Police resources were deployed into the area to deal with the criminal and anti-social behaviour committed by those that engage in illegal street racing.
Others involved then fled to Airport Road, where, after using special tactics, Police were able to disperse the group without further issues. But the remaining few went to Te Rapa Road where they were blocking the road with their vehicles and again, city cameras were shot at with a paintball gun.
A witness said there were a huge number of young people, drinking and causing a riot on street. The event was reportedly planned on Snapchat and widely known for over a week.
Overall, four arrests were made, 37 infringements were issued, and one vehicle was impounded.
Police take a zero-tolerance approach and are working hard to ensure those involved in any criminal offending overnight are held accountable.
Inspector Loughrin said, “As part of Operation Shadow, Waikato Police will continue to disrupt illegal and anti-social road behaviour. We want to reassure the community that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Investigations into the assault on Collins Road and Ohaupo Road are ongoing, and we urge anyone with information to contact the Police referencing file number 230415/6650.
Not a new occurrence
Waipā residents have been complaining for months that they feel intimidated when hundreds of drivers congregate, doing burnouts, speeding through streets and damaging properties.
Susan O’Regan was a district councillor last year when she sent a letter to the police minister demanding action against street racers in Waipā.
Now that she is the mayor, she wants to push the issue forward by making it illegal for most cars to be on some streets between 9 pm and 4 am.
She said people forget how vulnerable remote communities can feel in the face of anti-social behaviour. “I understand that there is often a lot of rubbish left around, abusive exchanges between these people and residents, and there have been occasions of people being assaulted.”
Road policing manager Inspector Tim Anderson said Waikato police had a strategy to respond to illegal street racing complaints.
Our communities can help us crack down on crime by reporting incidents – where criminal or anti-social behaviour is occurring right now, call 111.
Other information can be reported to the Police on 105, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
