Wānaka Police have dealt with a range of incidents over the last week, including a serious family harm incident yesterday (Wednesday August 21).

Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said police were called out to the incident in the early hours of the morning.

“A 34-year-old male was arrested without incident and will be facing numerous family harm related offences,” she said.

Another person is facing numerous charges for an incident last Friday (August 16).

The driver fled from police near Anderson Road at approximately 11.16pm.

“The vehicle accelerated heavily exceeding the posted speed limit,” she said. “Police lost sight of the fleeing vehicle and located vehicle debris and a dislodged pedestrian barrier.”

Fi said police must decide if the immediate risk to safety posed by the fleeing driver justifies an immediate response involving a pursuit and the driver was not pursued on the night.

“...however, the male driver has been located and is facing numerous charges including failing to stop for red and blue flashing lights, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.”

This was one of a handful of local driving-related offences from the past week.

Four people were caught drink driving in Wānaka following breath test screening.

“The highest reading was 704 [micrograms of alcohol per litre],” Fi said.

The legal limit is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre.

A reading between 250 and 400 can lead to a fine or being given demerit points; 400 or higher can lead to being disqualified from driving and being either fined or imprisoned.

Fi said all drivers should be vigilant and expect the unexpected.

A younger person was “so engrossed in their phone on Friday, they were completely oblivious to walking out onto a road in front of a vehicle near a busy intersection”, she said.

The driver of the vehicle was alert to what was unfolding because they were a police officer in a police vehicle.

“Devices are distractions and interfere with safe decisions around our roads/driveways,” Fi said.

A lot of drivers were caught out on Monday (August 19) when the cold front came through, she said.

“The weather event created many calls for service up on the Crown Range ranging from accidents to people ‘unable to stay on the road’ in the conditions.

“A serious accident closed the road, State Highway 6, on the other side of the Crown Range on Tuesday morning.”

Fi said a “steady amount” of ski field property is still being brought into the police station from Cardrona and Treble Cone.

Anyone who has lost something on the ski field can head into the station to see if it is there.

Wānaka Police also have a drop box for anyone wanting to drop off smaller found items outside of office hours.

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 Crime Stoppers.

PHOTO: Wānaka App