Eastern District Police have responded with enforcement action after reports of gang and firearm-related violence which have increased in the last few weeks.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Love says that gang-related activity disturbs the peace for members of the public and adds to a feeling of being unsafe.

“We want our community in Wairoa to be free of the threat of firearms, violence and general lawlessness that come with the presence of gangs.

“We’re investigating these reports and holding offenders to account,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Love.

Two people have been taken into custody following a fleeing driver incident this afternoon.

At about 12.25pm, Police observed a vehicle with no front number plate travelling through Ponsonby.

Acting Inspector Matt Limrick says units signalled for the vehicle to stop but it failed to do so, instead continuing on along Great North Road.

“Further enquiries revealed the vehicle was also recently reported stolen.

“The Police Eagle Helicopter has been able to locate the vehicle quickly and monitor it’s movements as it travelled through Mount Albert and Grey Lynn.

A late-night drive in Auckland on Sunday night ended with a date to attend court.

Senior Sergeant Bill Russell, Northern Districts Motorways Coordinator says around 1.40am units patrolling the motorway network sighted the vehicle traveling on the Northwestern Motorway, near St Luke’s.

“Officers recognised this vehicle as one that should not be operating on the road,” he says.

“They then stopped the vehicle at a nearby petrol station and spoke with the driver.”

When officers looked inside the vehicle a firearm scope could be seen in the back seat.

Police have made four arrests, impounded one vehicle and issued 53 infringement notices following a large-scale bicycle event in Henderson yesterday.

Acting Inspector Damian Albert, Waitematā Road Policing Manager says the event, which was advertised on social media, was attended by approximately 120 riders.

“This group travelled a round trip from Henderson to New Lynn, setting off around 11am and finishing up by 2pm,” he says.

A century-old family heirloom has made its way back home thanks to someone’s good will.

Nearly two months ago a member of the public located a gold locket at Woolworths in Pukekohe South.

Hoping to reunite it with its rightful owner, the woman handed it into the Pukekohe Police Station.

“A woman had found the locket, which was engraved and had two images inside,” Senior Sergeant Jeremy Steedman says.

Police posted on Facebook in the hope of tracking down the owner.

“Weeks went by and nothing,” Senior Sergeant Steedman says.

Police are now in a position to name the two people who sadly died following a crash on State Highway 1, Kinleith, on Wednesday 29 April.

They were, James Daniel Spence, 28, from England, and Raphael Jean-Gabriel Roellinger, 22, from France.

Police extend our deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

One person has died after the two-vehicle crash on SH2, near Coxhead Road, Mangatarata, this morning.

A second person has reportedly sustained moderate injuries. 

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

Motorists should continue to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson:

One person is in custody after a serious incident at a Dinsdale premises last night.

Emergency services were called to the Tuhikaramea Road address about 9.45pm after reports of a group of people entering the premises and demanding cash and personal items.

Two people were seriously injured and were transported to hospital.

A 17-year-old was arrested and will appear before the Youth Court in due course.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate the other parties involved.