A Waikato Police officer has proven once again that an officer is never off-duty, even during an overseas holiday, after he intervened when protesters targeted the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.

Senior Constable Mark Strongman, who has been in the police for over 29 years, was visiting the tourist attraction on Saturday morning with his wife and family when four individuals defaced the display case holding the Imperial State Crown.

Police are reminding kayakers to follow six simple steps before taking to the water this summer.

Police can confirm the body of a missing swimmer at Lake Wainamu has been located.

The Police National Dive Squad had been deployed at the lake near Bethells Beach today as part of the search effort.

An initial response began on Monday night, coordinated by the Police Maritime Unit, after 6pm.

Police acknowledge the SAR team at the Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving Club for their support on Monday night.

Our thoughts are with the man’s friends and family at this time.

The man’s death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS.

Police have taken a man into custody in the ongoing homicide investigation in east Auckland.

Investigators have rapidly progressed the investigation overnight and into today, resulting in an arrest in central Auckland this afternoon.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland CIB, says a 36-year-old man is now in Police custody

“Information was received from the public, subsequent to our earlier appeal today, which indicated our suspect was in the CBD this afternoon,” he says.

Two further arrests have been made in Operation Hawkin, the ongoing homicide investigation in Mt Wellington.

The investigation has been underway since the afternoon of 5 December.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City CIB, says four arrests have now been made in the investigation to date.

Yesterday evening, Police were speaking with a man taken into custody in the Waikato region near Te Awamutu.

“We have since charged the 53-year-old man with being an accessory after the fact to murder,” Detective Inspector Beard says.

A man has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Karioitahi Beach on Monday night.

Inspector Jared Pirret, Counties Manukau South Area Commander, says Police were contacted at about 7.10pm.

“Two men were reported to be experiencing difficulties in the water and struggling to return to shore.”

Lifeguards from Surf Life Saving’s SAR team responded with a rescue watercraft (RWC) and two inflatable rescue boats (IRBs).

The Police Eagle helicopter also attended the incident.

Police have executed a series of search warrants across west Auckland and the North Shore, as part of an investigation into offending at Ōrewa businesses.

Five people associated to the Headhunters gang have been arrested on Arson, dishonesty and criminal damage related charges.

Waitematā North Area Commander, Inspector John Thornley says Operation Governor focused on offending between September and early November.

That includes an arson at a cafe on 1 November as well as an attempted arson and other damage inflicted on businesses.

Police have made a further arrest in the homicide investigation underway in Mt Wellington.

Operation Hawkin commenced on the afternoon of 5 December, after a man was allegedly stabbed on Harris Road.

He later arrived at a medical centre on Lunn Avenue, before being transported to Auckland City Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City CIB, says the investigation headed south into the Waikato region as part of enquiries.

“Two men were taken into custody near Te Awamutu without incident,” he says.

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Mark Roiall, who has been reported missing from the Glen Innes area.

The 65-year-old was last seen at about 6pm on Sunday evening near Rowena Crecent.

Mark is described as about 172cms tall with brown eyes and wearing a singlet and shorts.

Police and Mark’s family have concerns for his wellbeing and would like to bring him home.

If you have seen Mark or have information that might help us find him, please call 111 and quote reference number 251207/3445.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

An alleged ‘moment of recklessness’ could have caused deaths, after a driver crashed while using a cell phone on Sunday afternoon in Hampden.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Sarah Thorn said the driver of one vehicle admitted to Police they were distracted by changing music on their cell phone.

“They drifted completely onto the other side of the road in a 100kph area, colliding with an oncoming car. It appears that a moment of recklessness could’ve killed them.