Conflicts in Tairāwhiti
A significant Police operation has begun across Tairāwhiti, following several concerning incidents stemming from tensions between rival gangs.
Eight incidents, involving assaults and firearms, have been reported between 16 March and 23 March. Police and gang leaders have been working to ease tensions, but an escalation in the conflict between rival gang members has forced us to draw on additional powers.
Yesterday afternoon, Police were issued a Gang Conflict Warrant under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act, giving Police special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms and weapons, and vehicles.
Officers from across the district are supporting the operation, which will involve a heavy Police presence in Gisborne and further afield. Our focus, and the focus of all staff, is the safety of our communities. The incidents we’ve been made aware of posed a very real threat to the lives of those involved, and innocent members of the public. We’re not going to tolerate it.
We are continuing to work with gang leadership while sending a clear message to all gang members that they are in our spotlight.
Additional Police will be patrolling communities across Tairāwhiti, stopping vehicles with links to gang members, searching addresses, and progressing enquiries into the recent events of concern.
We want to assure our Tairāwhiti communities that we are driving this hard and will be committing significant resources to holding gang members accountable for their actions.
Police need the community to help us, and people can do that by reporting illegal or suspicious activity, by calling police on 111 if it’s happening now, or making a report via 105 if it’s after the fact.
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If the races gallop off to Tamahere, “exciting things” could happen with the sizeable city site they leave behind, property experts say.
On Tuesday, the Waikato Times revealed Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s (WTR) plans to buy 150ha of farmland south of Hamilton to house the region’s three racing clubs at a new purpose-built racecourse and event centre.
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Police have apologised to a pensioner who caught a carer-turned-crook allegedly stealing cash, admitting there was more they could have done.
The about-face comes after the Waikato Times revealed the plight of rest home resident Lisa Allen, who set up a hidden-camera, capturing footage that appeared to show the caregiver opening her handbag and taking out a $50 note while the room was unattended.
Poll: When do you shop the sales?
Bargain hunters made the most of Boxing Day sales at Centre Place and The Base in Hamilton on Friday.
However, a marketing expert believes Boxing Day sales, long a staple of Kiwi life post-Christmas, is on the outer as Black Friday becomes more popular.
When do you shop the sales? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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27.3% Black Friday
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4.5% Boxing Day
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68.2% I don't
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