Please attribute to Inspector Zane Hooper, Acting Tasman District Commander:
Additional Police staff arrived in Nelson this afternoon to assist with the emergency response to the Nelson wildfires.
Approximately forty Police officers from Wellington and Canterbury districts arrived today to assist with cordons and mobile patrols to ensure the safety and welfare of the community.
Police have been supporting the emergency response to the fires since Tuesday afternoon, assisting with cordons and evacuations.
Police understand that people are eager to return to their properties but in the interests of safety, residents are unable to return or access their properties.
Police will be conducting mobile patrols overnight and ask that people avoid affected areas unless absolutely necessary.
Police encourage anyone who has evacuated to register their details with Civil Defence by ringing 03 543 8400.
Further communication will be provided to the community tomorrow, including a meeting for residents.
Civil Defence continue to lead the overall response to this emergency and are providing regular updates here.
If anyone has immediate concerns for their safety or the safety of someone else they should contact emergency services on 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Team