It’s only 11 days until Christmas, and Wānaka Police have observed many Christmas work parties taking place around Wānaka over the past week.

Such events usually involve the consumption of alcohol, sergeant Kim Chirnside said.

“Police just want employers to take responsibility for their staff, making sure their staff are [being safe], especially if alcohol is involved.

“It is on the employers to keep their employees safe - these are work events.”

He said the parties often end up in a bar at the end of the night. 

“We want [employers] to make sure they can get their staff home as well.

“There’s too many people staggering around the street at the end of the night, looking for a ride home.”

Arrest after serious violence 

A 24-year-old male was arrested late last week and charged with assault in a family relationship and strangulation.

“It was in relation to a family harm incident,” Sergeant Chirnside said. 

The man appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Monday (December 11) and has been remanded in custody.

Drink driving

Sergeant Chirnside said the number of drunk drivers intercepted during the past week means the booze bus will be spending more time in Wānaka. 

“We’ve had six drink drivers over the past week, and the community can expect to see that booze bus (which was here late last week) more from now and through the summer.”

One of the drink drivers had three previous convictions and was also a disqualified driver. 

Traffic accident 

There was a crash on the Makarora to Hāwea Road in the past week, which was not alcohol related. “It was a lucky escape,” Sergeant Chirnside said, with no injuries to the driver or passenger. 

“It was very lucky as they almost ended up in the lake.”

Retail crime

Retailers have ongoing issues with retail crime, Kim said, and there have been four incidents in the past week which police are following up on.. 

“One was [at] a small retailer in town. We know crime is happening in these smaller places and we know that it is harder to detect.”

Sergeant Chirnside said larger retailers have “technology that can help them detect these offences”, and he encouraged smaller retailers to also report such crimes. 

Search and rescue ramps up

Kim noted the tragic death of Steve Smith on Breast Hill, and said police were involved in the recovery and investigation. The case has been referred to the coroner.

Read more: ‘True gentleman’ dies in Hāwea accident

The search and rescue season has kicked into gear, Detective Alan Lee said, as the climbing season has arrived along with improved weather.

Since October there have been about eight SAR incidents, plus two more attended by the Rescue Coordination Centre. 

People should check the weather before heading off, tell someone where they are going, and understand their own capabilities, he said.

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