To be attributed to Acting Inspector Mel Robertson, Southland Area Prevention Manager:

Police are investigating after a motorcycle crash in Strathern, Invercargill yesterday (17 May).

At around 7.15am, officers observed a motorcyclist riding without a helmet on Pomona Street and signalled him to stop.

The motorcyclist initially complied, coming to a stop on the side of the road. However, when the police car pulled in behind it, he rode away at speed.  He then appears to have lost control and crashed a short distance away.

Police are urging the public to stay vigilant following recent vehicle offending across Dunedin.

Around 1.30pm, Police saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen on South Road. When signalled to stop, the driver fled and due to the manner of driving, Police did not pursue the vehicle.

Senior Sergeant Brian Benn says Police are conducting area enquiries to locate the vehicle and offenders; however, this is not an isolated incident.

“Recently, we have received a few reports of vehicles being stolen across Dunedin, or items being stolen out of vehicles.

Northland Police are reminding retail and small business owners about the importance of having CCTV installed at their premises.

Motion detection and live imagery is often alerting victims to offending taking place.

Late last month it meant a prompt response to a building site in Morningside.

Sergeant Craig Curnow, Whangārei Police, says a security camera gave Police a real-time look at a recent burglary in progress and helped them to arrest four people.

Attribute the following to Senior Constable Nick Hall, Marine Rescue Centre:

Police supporting a water rescue yesterday are encouraging owners to check for hidden issues in their jet skis.

Just before 2pm, a vessel in the Motuihe Channel near Emu Point reported seeing a jet ski explode, with smoke and flames seen in the area.

Two injured people were pulled from the water and taken to hospital by ambulance services, now at home recovering.

Two people have died following a helicopter crash in Mt Aspiring National Park this morning.

Reports came in of the incident about 9.50am.

Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre has handed responsibility for the response to Police, who are on scene now.

More information will be released when available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Brent Menzies:

A scene examination has been completed at the scene of Thursday’s fatal house fire in Mairehau, Christchurch.

The fire sadly took the life of a three year old girl, and her mother later died in hospital.

Enquiries remain ongoing to speak with family members and witnesses.

Residents in the area can expected to see an increased Police presence as these area enquiries continue.

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan:

The woman previously reported to be in critical condition after last night’s fire in Mairehau has now sadly died.

Police’s thoughts are with her family, and we will continue to provide them with support.

Enquiries are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

A sparky’s senses sniffed out a large-scale commercial grow house, resulting in hundreds of cannabis plants being located.

On Wednesday afternoon, Police received information about a possible illegal operation hidden in the heart of Ōtāhuhu.

“An electrician working in the area noticed unusual wiring coming from a warehouse on Queen Street,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, of Counties Manukau West CIB, says.

“Ventilation pipes were also seen, which gave the telltale signs that the warehouse was being used for illegal activity.

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan:

Police continue to work at the scene of last night’s fire in Mairehau.

We can now confirm that the child who died in the house fire was a three-year-old girl.

Four other children aged between 10 weeks and five-years-old, were admitted to hospital. The children are siblings of the deceased girl.

Three of the surviving children have been discharged and are in the care of family members. One child, a girl aged two-years-old, remains in hospital in a stable condition, with moderate injuries.

The release issued at 4.17pm on a fatal crash in Selwyn contained incorrect information on the number of vehicles, patients and their conditions.

The crash involved at least three vehicles.

Ambulance services were called for five injured people that were involved in the crash.

Sadly, despite the efforts of emergency personnel, two people were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Three others have injuries that range from moderate to critical.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre