Infringements, breath tests, arrests, and impounds, are some of the results from an operation targeting antisocial road user behaviour in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Districts.
Rotorua Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Phil Gillbanks says Police's increased presence put a damper on any plans that participants had to congregate on Saturday night.
"Our visibility and enforcement meant we were able to disrupt any behaviour before they were able to participate in any antisocial road user behaviours."
In Rotorua, 51 infringement offence notices were issued, including some for excess speed. Another five non-operation orders were also issued, and a total of 11 drivers were forbidden to drive.
Police seized a number of wheels and tyres brought to specifically support drivers engaging in antisocial road user behaviour, with Bay of Plenty prosecutions summoning two people to Court for preparing to commit a crime. Their vehicles were also impounded.
More than 350 breath tests were completed throughout the night, all with negative results for excess breath alcohol.
During the operation in Hamilton, one person was arrested and charged for possession of cannabis, and two others were arrested for being parties to an offence.
Police issued 63 infringement offence notices and six non-operation orders. Two vehicles were also impounded for their participation in antisocial road user behaviour.
Over 780 breath tests were conducted, five of which returned positive results for excess breath alcohol.
A Hamilton man was also summonsed to Court after having been identified to have participated in a previous road user gathering.
In both areas, Police established checkpoints around the planned gatherings, ensuring drivers would be intercepted while leaving the area.
Inspector Gillbanks says this operation clearly shoes that no matter where antisocial road users plan to be, Police will be there.
"Staff from both districts worked cohesively and as one, using decisive zero tolerance action to intercept and disrupt the antisocial road user behaviour in our respective areas."
Waikato Road Policing, Senior Sergeant John McCarthy says Police is committed to ensuring those participating in antisocial road user behaviour are held to account.
"Not only does this keep nearby residents awake and damage roads, but it places drivers, passengers, bystanders, and other motorists at extreme risk."
Both districts will continue to focus on this unlawful activity and work together to hold those responsible for this behaviour accountable.
Police ask members of the public to report antisocial road user activity to us, with as much information as safely possible.
We need your help preventing and responding to the activity, and in cases where we cannot immediately respond, allows us to follow up with drivers and take later enforcement action.
You can report information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or through 105 for non-emergencies.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre