The region’s residents are being warned to expect an increase in the number of boy racers and anti-social vehicle use [ASVU] in Wairarapa as a result of the arrival of spring and the approach of summer.
The Times-Age approached Wairarapa police last week after receiving several emails and calls from members of the public who were upset about the time that it took for police to arrive at the scene of a recent ‘burn out’ party and a related assault.
In response, Senior Sergeant Gill Flower, Wairarapa’s area prevention manager, said police aim to respond to reports as quickly as possible but explained they must attend “higher priority” callouts such as family harm incidents first.
Nonetheless, Flower said police are currently working through several different responses to boy racers engaging in ASVU.
“We are working with councils and the community to add more CCTV to Wairarapa with automatic number plate recognition in order to identify vehicles,” she said.
“Over the past few months, we have identified numerous vehicles that have been involved in ASVU, and they have been either ticketed or seized when offending can be proven.”
Police have also identified certain areas in the region that boy racers are targeting and are directing staff to patrol these areas at random times, Flower said.
Meanwhile, police are still urging people who see this sort of behaviour to call 111 and to note registration plates down – but only if it is safe to do so.
People should not approach those behaving in this manner.
