Intoxication was the theme last Friday night (September 20), when police were required to assist with patrons at two local bars.

Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said Friday was “a relatively busy night”.

“A patron was asked to leave Water Bar due to intoxication which resulted in them being antagonistic towards staff and bystanders,” she said. Police were called and the patron was removed.

Later that night police were called to Lala Land, where a 31-year-old intoxicated male had been asked to leave by security but refused to.

“The male had allegedly been threatening and abusive. He was arrested for trespass and resisting police,” Fi said.

Pembroke Mall fire

Wānaka CIB is making enquiries following a fire which started in a rubbish bin at Pembroke Mall in Wānaka on Sunday night (September 22).

Read more: Suspicious fire under police investigation

“No one was injured and enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing,” Fi said.

“It’s a significant fire", if it has been a result of an intentional act there are tough penalties for arson, she said.

“If you have any information that may assist please use reference number 240924/3100. You can also provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”

‘Road violence’ continues to be a concern

Incidents continue to be reported on the Crown Range and the Lindis Pass, Fi said.

Police were called out early on Sunday morning (5.27am) following reports of a vehicle being driven erratically on the Crown Range.

The vehicle was located by Queenstown and Wānaka police but failed to stop. The offending driver and vehicle were stopped using tyre deflation devices, and the driver was assessed by mental health services, Fi said.

She said it was helpful that the driving had been reported to police and thanked those who did report it.

At about 6.30am on Monday (September 23) police were called to a serious motor vehicle accident on the Crown Range.

The northbound driver was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital and remains in a serious condition, Fi said.

The driver of the southbound vehicle was transported by ambulance to Queenstown Lakes District Hospital for precautionary assessment.

“It is too early to make any bold statements about the cause, other than to remind drivers to slow down, drive to the conditions and care about the road violence that motor vehicle accidents cause.”

Fi said there have been some “pleasing results” over the past week reported by the Police Impairment Team (IPT), with 532 vehicles stopped through checkpoints and drivers screened for alcohol.

“While alcohol is being detected, the readings are within the legal limit which is pleasing to see,” she said.

One compulsory impairment test (CIR) for drugs was conducted, with a blood result pending.

Avalanches

There were two avalanches this week at the Treble Cone area, and Fi said SAR police members wanted to acknowledge the great response from local ski fields.

“It's a shout out to them,” she said. “We like to remind those people visiting the ski fields that there are some amazing people doing great things to keep them safe on the ski slopes.”

Read more: ‘Preparation saves lives’ during avalanche

Police Remembrance Day

Fi said Police Remembrance Day will be observed this Friday (September 27), where police staff and members of the police family will gather at various locations around the country “to honour and remember colleagues now lost to us”.

A large national service held at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) to honour staff who have been slain or died as a result of their duties, as well as serving, retired and former Police staff who have died in the preceding 12 months, will be livestreamed on the

police website and NZ Police Facebook page.

A local event will be held in Queenstown, Fi said.

She said in the week leading up to Police Remembrance Day police staff wear the huia pin which was developed by the Police Association and NZ Police.

“The tail plumage of the huia bird - now lost to us - is something rare and special and to wear it is considered by Māori to be a great honour. By incorporating the police chevron into the huia tail feather the design of the pin symbolises the honouring of someone special, now

lost to police.” 

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