The Canterbury Police operation was timed to coincide with several ‘skid meets’ scattered around Christchurch and the surrounding area.

Sergeant Luke Vaughan said the police operation started at the “Cars and Cameras” event – a well-organised and positive get-together of car enthusiasts at Bottle Lake Forest between 5pm and 7pm.

Christchurch police on Saturday night target anti-social road behaviour

The operation moved on to monitoring subsequent cruising of the avenues around central Christchurch and vehicle movements to rural and industrial areas for planned ‘skid meets’.

Over the course of the night, 50 infringements were issued, eight cars were green stickered, and five were impounded for sustained loss of traction from past incidents.

There was one fleeing driver incident involving a car believed to be stolen.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate the driver and vehicle.

Christchurch police on Saturday night target anti-social road behaviour

“The work isn’t over though. Along with the action taken over the course of the weekend, Police gathered information that will help our ongoing enquiries. This included identifying people and vehicles of interest.”

Sergeant Vaughan said police understand the effect antisocial road user activity has on the community, especially in areas frequented by these groups.

“They leave damaged roads and mess for communities and councils to clean up. We will continue our work to disrupt this activity and identify those involved. If you choose to damage roads, distress residents, and put you, your passengers, and bystanders lives at risk by engaging in this activity, Police will work hard to identify and stop you in your tracks.”