Police pleased with crowd behaviour at airshow

Wānaka police Sergeant Kim Chirnside at the Wānaka police station. PHOTO: REGAN HARRIS
Wānaka police Sergeant Kim Chirnside at the Wānaka police station. PHOTO: REGAN HARRIS
Easter weekend and the long-awaited return of Warbirds over Wānaka gave the Upper Clutha another visitor boost, and fortunately the drama was kept to the skies,  Wānaka police say. 

Sergeant Kim Chirnside said police had been on patrol at the airshow across the weekend, and were pleased with the behaviour of attendees and "the way alcohol was consumed responsibly".

"On the whole, [there was] a very well-behaved crowd with no offences reported over the three days."

He said most complaints made were in relation to traffic and parking, which were "part and parcel" of an event of that size.

Elsewhere in town, one motorist had their vehicle impounded on Sunday after they were caught performing burnouts at the Dungarvon St car park.

Sgt Chirnside said the incident occurred at about 7.30pm, at a time when the car park was still full.

"The vehicle was impounded and it was an out-of-town driver. He will have to return here to go back to court."

Unrelated to that incident, five motorists had their licences suspended in the past week, which Sgt Chirnside said was a "good reminder from police that demerit points do catch up with drivers who continue to offend".

Police also responded to reports of property damage at the Lake Hāwea tennis courts over the weekend, which involved several seats being vandalised.

Sgt Chirnside said police did not have any names at this stage, but would follow up on any information  from the public.

On Good Friday, four trampers were retrieved with the help of a  rescue helicopter after encountering difficulty on the Rabbit Pass traverse. Sgt Chirnside said the group had activated their beacon after "reassessing the difficulty of a descent".

No injuries were reported.

regan.harris@alliedpress.co.nz