“We could waste all sacrifices”
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Wellington, May 3, 2020
The Police are urging people to resist the temptation to socialise in gatherings that breach that Alert Level 3 restrictions.
Since the introduction of the Alert Level 3 restrictions, Police have received 1200 reports from the public to the 105 breach notification line in regard to mass gatherings.
Of the 1200 reports, 685 were received between 6 pm on May 1 to and 6 pm on May 2, 2020.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Scott Fraser said that under no circumstances should anyone be having a party under the Alert Level 3 restrictions.
No time for complacency
“Such behaviour could waste all the sacrifices made by our team of five million over the last five weeks. Now is not the time to be complacent and we know from the volume of people reporting these parties and gatherings, that they do not want to lose all the gains made in the collective effort to beat Covid-19,” he said.
Fraser said that the Police are prioritising attendance to reports of mass gatherings of ten or more people.
“Holding a party in the current environment is in breach of the Health Act and where appropriate enforcement action will be taken, this could be against the party hosts and the attendees,” he said.
Action by Numbers
Since the introduction of Alert Level 3 restrictions, Police have taken enforcement action against 514 people for breaches of either the Health Act or the Civil Defence Emergency Act.
Of the 514 breaches, there have between 135 prosecutions and 342 warnings.
In the 24 hours between 6 pm on May 1 and 6 pm on May 2, 2020, the Police took enforcement action against 112 people.
“We know that most New Zealanders are acting responsibly and sticking to the rules by staying local, limiting travel to their region, and keeping physical distancing when out in public,” Fraser said.
There are a number of ways to contact the Police if you suspect a breach of the restrictions is occurring. For emergency situations, telephone 111, for non-emergency situations, phone 105 or alternatively, contact Police through the online 105 form.
Reports can also be made anonymously via Crimestoppers
