Wānaka Police have been called to two cases of verbal abuse this past week, and arrested a young woman for assault at an otherwise conflict-free festival.

Verbal abuse, assault

A 27-year-old female was arrested and charged with assaulting police, wilful trespass, and resisting police at the Wānaka Beerfest in Pembroke Park on Saturday afternoon (December 7). 

“The event itself was very well-run and police were pleased with crowd behaviour,” Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said.

Last Wednesday (December 4) police were called to Mitre 10 in response to a verbally aggressive and abusive male. 

A 64-year-old male was arrested for disorderly behaviour.

In the hours of Wednesday, police were called to the Lake Hāwea Holiday Park to trespass a female who had been verbally abusive.

Road policing: Expect more breath testing

On Saturday (December 7) a 22-year-old male driver was issued with an infringement offence notice for an excess breath alcohol (EBA) of 328, and charged with driving while disqualified.  

Fi warned that drivers should expect to be subjected to a breath alcohol test if they are stopped by police.

“The time of year places a major focus on road safety and especially Impairment,” she said. 

“You will see the Mobile Police Bus in Wānaka and it will be out and about conducting check points consistently.”

More scams 

Fraud scams continue to be reported, Fi said.

“One local resident received a telephone call from a person advising them that he was from the BNZ Fraud office and that their bank account had been compromised by someone in Sydney trying to use their bank account. The scammers have used the information from the phone call to obtain funds.”

Fi encouraged people to learn more about scams and the tactics of scammers. 

“Take a look at any of the major banking websites where there is a range of helpful information on scams including, romance, impersonations, text, toll, cold call, tax and marketplace scams.

“Scammers target people of any gender or age, and it doesn’t matter how much money you have. It’s important to stay up to date with the types of scams.”

If you think you or someone you know has been the victim of an online scam, fraud, abuse and harassment or other criminal activity online you can report online or call 105. Providing as much information as possible (eg bank statements, emails, texts, social media accounts) helps in processing reports.

Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.

Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.

Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.

To make an anonymous crime report contact Crimestoppers.

PHOTO: Wānaka App