Canterbury Police are ramping up their operations targeting wanted individuals, with a special focus on monitoring gang member activities in the region.
As the weekend approaches, authorities said they would boost their presence on Canterbury roads and in communities as part of ongoing enforcement measures.
This week, the operation resulted in 19 arrests. Of those, six individuals were associated or patched members of the Mongols, while 13 others were detained on active warrants for breaching bail conditions or other offences.
Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander, said police had “conducted a large number of vehicle stops, with two motorcycles impounded and two drivers forbidden to drive as a result.”
Photo: New Zealand Police
“We will continue our focus on those attempting to evade the justice system, either through breaching bail conditions or those with a warrant to arrest,” Hill said, adding that the primary goal of the operation was to ensure that everyone in the community could “feel and be safe.”
“Across Canterbury roads, multiple teams will be out monitoring and responding to unlawful and antisocial driving, including the Antisocial Road User Team, the Impairment Prevention Team, and Highway and Road Policing Officers.”
Hill said the teams were prepared to respond swiftly to any unlawful activity.
Police encouraged anyone with public safety concerns to contact them on 111, and they urged the community to report any information on unlawful activity, where there is no immediate risk, through the police website or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org.
