Kia ora Wānaka,

There were a number of vehicle crashes during the week.

A moped and cyclist crossed paths in Albert Town resulting in the cyclist receiving some nasty injuries.

A crash was reported via the front counter of the Police Station where a parked vehicle has been hit and the offending vehicle not stopping and carrying on. CCTV will lead police to the offending vehicle.

A vehicle turned in front of another vehicle on SH6 near Hāwea Dam resulting in a neck injury for one of the passengers.

A number of the Wānaka community were stopped and processed for drinking and driving this week. A range of results from infringement notices being issued to having to explain you actions to the judge at court.

It’s no secret that the police are out and about and you will be stopped.

Police assisted with a fire near the Clutha River by SH8A.

A number of drivers had their drivers’ licences suspended throughout the week for having excess demerit points.

There were a spate of burglaries and vehicles broken in to in the Hāwea area during the week. Two young people were nabbed and arrested for these offences.

A number of infringement notices were issued to drivers of vehicles on our roads. Speed, cellphones, seatbelts, stop signs and driver licence breaches were the theme for this week.

Plenty of property was handed in to the Police Station over the week. If you seem to be missing an item, please pop in and check to see if we have it.

Underage drinking and possession of alcohol seems to be a current trend for our Wānaka youth. A number of youth were dealt with for possessing alcohol in public and consuming alcohol without adult supervision.

Police were called to a Wānaka address in the small hours to assist some rather distraught homeowners who thought a snoring hippo was asleep on their couch. Further inquiries established it was not a wild animal but rather an unknown heavily intoxicated male who entered the property and tucked himself to sleep with a blanket. The male was woken and assisted the 5kms to his actual home address.

It is a timely reminder about water safety. Police have recently coordinated several water rescues. These range from floating down the river without lifejackets and becoming stuck, stressed or near drowning to boats colliding.

Please don’t go above your limit. The water is unforgiving.

Look after each other Wānaka and keep up the great mahi.