Wānaka police have been kept busy with a range of issues in the past week, including complaints about driving.

Police were called to an incident where four-wheel drive enthusiasts drove onto private property, and got themselves into trouble when they were bluffed.

“They needed help to get out, meaning the landowner had to rescue them,” Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said, adding that that can also raise an issue of liability for the landowner.

The key message is “do not go onto people’s private property”, she said. “There are plenty of other places for people to four-wheel drive.”

“Any person found unlawfully on property, following an investigation, is subject to being trespassed and potential prosecution - as is the case in this matter.”

Shoplifting prevention initiative 

A Wānaka community constable is holding a prevention initiative session for local retailers on August 29.

Fi said this follows a spate of thefts from local supermarkets.

“There are mechanisms for some of the larger outlets but [less so] for the smaller outlets,” she said.

Shoplifting is “a constant”, Fi said, and any shop owner who has not been made aware who wants to come along and hear the prevention messages should register their interest with the Wānaka Police Station.

“It’s about local initiatives - what can we do to make our communities resilient to protect themselves against retail crime they’re potentially not even aware of.” 

Road policing: speed is ‘creeping up’

Thirty-four complaints about the manner of driving in this area were reported to police over the weekend, 24 of which were responded to by police, Fi said.

“This highlights how many complaints of poor driver behaviour get reported,” she said, adding that the complaints included a range of issues from vehicles crossing the centre line to people driving slowly and impeding other traffic.

“This is great to see drivers taking the time to report such incidents. Road policing is a priority for police, we take it seriously.” 

Fi said it was pleasing to see the number of complaints being responded to, “particularly given we are often called after the event and the people are mobile, travelling through our area”. 

All driving complaint reports are sent through to the road policing team if police are unable to locate the driver at the time.

The road policing manager said mean travelling speeds across the area seem to be creeping up, Fi reported.

Recently a motorcyclist was caught riding at 171kmph between Wānaka and Cromwell. His motorcycle has been impounded and he is facing a charge of dangerous driving.

While every vehicle travelling on the open road over 100kmph is subject to an infringement notice for speeding, Fi said drivers travelling at 50kph or more over the speed limit will have their vehicle seized and face prosecution.

“We’re getting these really high numbers,” she said.

Police are patrolling in and around Three Parks and the Wānaka CBD, Fi said.

“Our team are focused on people in our area who have driver licence restrictions,” she said. 

“There are currently a significant number of people who are disqualified or have some sort of licence restriction.”

Vandalism

Following the vandalism of council-managed signs along Ardmore Street on Saturday evening (August 10), the police have not received any reports from the public. Fi asked anyone with information about the incident to get in touch.

Read more: Information sought after signs vandalised

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