Be warned – Police are taking a hard line on our roads this Easter break

Southland Police have given one last warning on the eve of the Easter holiday break and long Anzac weekend that they will be out in full force

maintaining a hard line on everyone from those not wearing seat belts and using mobile phones to speedsters and drink drivers.

Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie is urging people heading to holiday hotspots to take extra care with so many more people on the roads.

“Drive to the conditions, drive fresh and ensure you’re clear of any distractions.”

Police will be doing their bit, but road safety is “something everybody has to take responsibility for”.

“The best way to avoid getting a ticket is to drive sober, not use your mobile phone, wear your seatbelts and stick to the speed limit,” he says.

Drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs contribute to about a third of all fatal crashes nationally, and impairment continues to be a factor in a number of Southland crashes.

“Our message is simple. If you’re drinking, do not drive. Organise for someone to be the sober driver or use public transport and rideshare services where possible,” he says.

He’s also urging people to “take the extra two seconds” to ensure they and their passengers have their seatbelts on. “In the event of a crash, wearing your seatbelt can save your life.”

Speed won’t be tolerated either. “Speed limits are not a target,” MacKenzie says. “Even when speed doesn’t cause the crash, it’s the single biggest determinant in whether you walk away or are carried away.”

We want everybody to reach their destination safely, and Police will be out in force in an attempt to deter any dangerous behaviour. “We want everybody to reach their destination safely.”

“Enjoy the holiday period, but let’s all work to ensure it is a safe one.”

Western Southland's Merrivale Road residents are sick and tired of the excessive speeds and crashes on their road

Gore targeted by burglars, as young as 14

Just the day after seven young Gore teenagers, all around 14, were arrested in relation to multiple burglaries of Main Street businesses, Police have also now arrested a 21-year-old Gore man in relation to a number of recent burglaries in the area.

The man was arrested on Tuesday and taken into custody without incident, after the Gore CIB executed a search warrant at a local

address and found an item of property and evidence relating to the offence. The man has been charged with burglary and unlawfully being on a property after a private residence was entered in Gore township. He’s been remanded in custody and will appear in the Gore District Court on 5 May.

Eastern Southland Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Gary Iddenten says this arrest is “a timely reminder to residents to ensure their properties are well-secured”.

“We know it’s easy to become complacent about home security, particularly when you’re at home, but it’s important to remember burglars are largely opportunistic.

“Don’t give them any opportunity to gain easy access to your property or home.

“Always lock doors and windows at night, or if you’re going to be away from your property for any length of time.”

“Even when you’re at home in bed at night and also in rural properties, lock up,” Inspector Stu Harvey says.

Harvey says the places being targeted in Gore are high profile – houses and retail stores. While burglaries occur the recent spate in Gore is particularly concerning with homes and shops being targeted and the young age of the alleged offenders in some.

The seven youths who were arrested in relation to the burglary of retail stores in the town’s main street, allegedly forced entry into four retail premises. “These were young people making bad decisions,” he says.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious happening in their neighbourhood is urged to dial 111 immediately.

Marked decrease in Invercargill CBD crime

Police say they’ve seen a marked decrease in disorderly behaviour and assaults around Invercargill’s CBD since a joint initiative was launched to stamp out increasing trouble in the area. But they’re still urging parents to take responsibility for supervision of their children and teens and know where they are.

Harvey says there were some real problems last winter around the Mall area with disorder, assaults and retail theft, including young people yelling and shouting and disturbing the public, with the problem worsening during school holidays.

There had been damage and people being threatened with insulting language.

However, Senior Sergeant Mel Robertson has been leading the Police response to stamp out the problem and she says they’re already seeing positive results. She’s been working during the last eight months alongside Invercargill Mall and Invercargill City Council to enhance the safety of the pubic and mitigate unwanted behaviours in the CBD.

Since the project was began, Police have seen a decrease in calls for service and an increase in Police visibility and prevention activities, she says. They’ve developed a streamlined monitoring system to ensure swift intervention of those who are behaving unfavourably, and/or committing crimes within the Mall and the CBD.

A strong relationship has been developed between Police and Mall retailers which means Police can get there as soon as possible to deal with any disorder rapidly and remove the perpetrators.

Robertson says the intervention varies, depending on each case. “But having an open line of communication with the Mall and a systematic approach to monitoring means those causing the greatest harm can be engaged with at the earliest opportunity.”

Collaboration between the retailers, council, Police and community stakeholders has been essential to develop initiatives and enhance systems to contribute to improvements in behaviour, she says.

“We’ve got a good system in place now to stamp the problem out,” Harvey says.

A newly formed Retail Risk Group led by Invercargill Mall manager Kelvin Mooney will lead to better communication amongst all CBD retailers, information sharing, enhancement of security systems and a continual relationship with Police, the council and community groups, Robertson says.

“The challenge is to now widen the network of retailers to the entire CBD and develop a broader communication network and support each other to contribute to a vibrant and safe Invercargill CBD.”

Serious injuries after Riverton-Aparima accident

The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter airlifted a patient in a serious condition after an accident in the Riverton Aparima area just after 8.30am on Monday, 14 April.

A St John Ambulance spokesperson says an ambulance and one rapid response vehicle also attended and the patient was flown to Dunedin Hospital. No further details were available.

A patient was also airlifted to Lakes District Hospital after a fall in Fiordland National Park just after 9am on Friday, 11 April, and two patients with moderate injuries were airlifted to Southland Hospital after a motor vehicle accident on Borland Road, Monowai, at 7.40pm on 5 April.