Canterbury Police once again praise the positive behaviour of the majority of the crowd of the last ICC Cricket World Cup match to be held at Hagley Oval today (23 February 2015).
Canterbury Police’s Operational Commander for the ICC Cricket World Cup, Inspector Bryan Buck, said “Amongst the large crowd of local and overseas cricket fans were a few thousand lucky local school children who all enjoyed the picnic atmosphere at the ground. Unfortunately three people were arrested including one person who ended the last match at Hagley Oval by invading the pitch.”
“While some may think pitch invasions are funny they are offensive to many communities in New Zealand and overseas. Pitch invasions at sporting events will not be tolerated by Police under any circumstances” said Inspector Buck. “Disappointingly witnesses report the man was encouraged by his friends to run onto the pitch. Police arrested him in South Hagley Park after he fled from the ground.”
The 21 year old student from Christchurch will appear in Christchurch District Court on 26 February 2015 charged under the Major Events Management Act for pitch invasion. If convicted the penalty includes of a fine of up to $5000 or imprisonment of up to three months.
Two men aged 19 and 20 years old, who had been evicted by security for intoxication, were arrested in the Polo Ground car park for unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle. One was released without charge and the other received a pre-charge warning.
“The majority of the crowd were moderating their drinking and adding to the festival atmosphere at the venue. Unfortunately five people, a very small minority, were evicted and trespassed due to intoxication and breaching their conditions of entry by bringing in alcohol” explained Inspector Buck.
“While this is the last game of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Hagley Oval we urge the public to take their positive behaviour to other sporting events. The super XV tournament is underway and we urge rugby fans to take the number of alcohol related incidents to zero by drinking responsibly, eating food and drinking water throughout the day”
Canterbury Police will continue to actively Police sporting events in New Zealand to ensure they are all safe and secure environments that everyone can enjoy.
Canterbury – by working together we can make sure that all sporting events in New Zealand are ones everyone remembers for all the right reasons.
Media please note – there will be no interviews regarding this release.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404
