Glorious tidings to all in the Wanaka community.

I hope your past week has been fruitful and productive, with great weather over the weekend allowing you to get out and enjoy

this stunning part of the world.

Being only the second article I have written, and being fairly new to the Wanaka Police, I thought I would just address some FAQ's that I have received particularly late at night after the bars close.

1. Yes, it is a taser and no you can’t zap your mate for fun.
2. No, I can’t arrest your mate and put him in handcuffs for fun.
3. Sorry I probably don’t know your mate, relative or ancestor who was/is in the police.
4. Yes, we are very community minded but probably can’t give you a lift home.
5. No, he’s not the one we are looking for.

Well this week has been a mixed bag with some of the same old stuff popping up, yes drink driving. It’s a shame but the area seems to be able to punch well above its weight when it comes to this, a record we don’t want.

Six people were picked up over the limit and will appear in court or are awaiting blood results. Unfortunately, some very high readings with three readings three times above the limit. We can all play a part in reducing this by looking out for your mates.

Disappointingly a burglary occurred at the A&P show last weekend with various items of R M Williams apparel stolen. Enquiries are continuing to identify the culprits so be aware of anyone trying to sell items of this clothing line cheaply.

And while we’re looking out for suspicious stuff, Beacon Point Road residents, police are looking for anyone who has information in relation to an attempted theft of a boat from a property on Beacon Point Road sometime over the weekend 13-14 March. Second-hand information suggests someone has approached the driver of a vehicle that had reversed up a driveway and was about to hook a boat on before speeding off. Please contact Sgt Darren Cranfield if you can assist with this.

There have been a couple of thefts around the area this week with an unusual one of the hydraulic door closer from the toilet door of the unisex toilet on Allenby Road, so if you are going to use the toilet you may have to whistle loudly as the door might not close properly.

This week has seen a quantity of jewellery handed into Wanaka police which includes rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces so if you have lost items like this come on in and see if we have got it. While on the subject police get a lot of found property handed in so if you’ve lost a phone, wallet, bag, or anything pop on in as we just love to reacquaint items with their rightful owners.

And finally, good work by the local Search and Rescue guys this week by recovering some bones believed to be from a deceased climber in the hills from about 1976. These will be repatriated to the family in due course helping to give closure to what I’m sure has been a lengthy grieving process.

Have a stunning week folks and let’s hope the weather keeps up despite that all too familiar nip in the air now indicating winter is not too far away.