Attributable to Senior Sergeant Aimee Whitley, acting Hamilton City Area Commander:

Waikato Police are investigating multiple reports relating to anti social behaviour by groups of dirt bike riders in Hamilton City over the weekend.

Police received a number of calls throughout Saturday 9 May, with callers reporting a range of incidents from riders taking over intersections to cutting across sports fields.

A Whangārei man clearly started his day with an extra shot, assisting Police make an arrest after tackling a fleeing offender to the ground.

The man, who was outside Honey’s Coffee Shop at about 7.40am on Monday, was treated to more than a read of the paper after becoming aware of a situation unfolding nearby.

“Police had received multiple calls reporting a disorderly male in the Whangārei CBD, primarily along Cameron Street,” Whangārei Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Rene Rakete says.

Police have made two arrests following reports of dangerous driving in Tauranga this morning.

Acting Senior Sergeant Russell Owen says Police attention was drawn to a stolen vehicle shortly after 7am in Bethlehem.

“The vehicle was of interest to Police in relation to an aggravated robbery in Waihi on 7 May,” Acting Senior Sergeant Owen says.

“When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled at speed and was reported driving dangerously, including on the wrong side of State Highway 2 through an area with blind corners and narrow bridges.”

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.