Wellington commuters may see some unusual activity on the urban train network this week when Police search specialists test their skills in a two-day exercise.
Teams will be searching designated exercise areas containing empty passenger trains, track and buses in Wellington, Porirua, Paraparaumu and Upper Hutt on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th December.
Officer in Charge of the Police Specialist Search Group, Inspector Marc Paynter, says that commuters will not be inconvenienced.
"Toll New Zealand has been very helpful in assisting us with this exercise. The trains we are using for search purposes will not be on a scheduled service or carrying any passengers.
"Our train searches are taking place outside peak periods and are planned to avoid causing delays to commuter services.
"I’d like to reassure people that if they do see Police staff conducting searches in and around the urban train network, it will just be our teams practising their skills."
This national exercise brings together Police Specialist Search Group teams from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The SSG holds regular exercises to strengthen and maintain its capability.
"New Zealand Police is responsible for the operational response to any threat to transport security and the Specialist Search Group is an important part of that overall effort.
"While there is no change in New Zealand's generally low level of threat, the attacks on the transport systems in Madrid and London, combined with the importance of transport networks, reinforce the need to develop and practice our responses.
"We therefore really appreciate the public’s cooperation as we seek to build our preparedness," Inspector Paynter says.
Media Photo opportunity: 2.30pm, Wednesday, 7 December
There will be a 20 minute photo/vision/audio opportunity for media at Toll New Zealand's Upper Hutt depot at 2.30pm on Wednesday, 7 December.
The Wellington Police Specialist Search Group team including an explosive detector dog will be involved in searching a four-carriage electric EM/ET train. The NZDF EOD team will also be available for the media opportunity.
News crews who would like to take up this opportunity must register their intention to attend with Police Media Relations, Office of the Commissioner, telephone 04 474 9442 or 04 474 9482 in advance of arrival.
Media must arrive at the gate off Goodshed Road, Upper Hutt*, no later than 2.15pm on Wednesday, 7 December, for a safety briefing. Reflectorised jerkins will be available.
*The gate into the Upper Hutt Railway Depot is located off on the left (North) side on Goodshed Road as you drive West along Goodshed Road after your way through the Seddon Street / Blenhiem Street / Goodshed Road roundabout. The gate is about 30-40 metres from the intersection it is located.)
Police Media Relations staff will be on hand to coordinate the media opportunity. Also present will be the Exercise Coordinators - Inspector Marc Paynter, Office of the Commissioner, Mr Darren Nicholas, Toll Security Manager and Inspector Kevin Riordan, Operational Services Manager, Wellington District Headquarters.
ENDS