Police impounded five vehicles on Friday night and another five on Saturday night.
“We are still in the process of collating all the numbers across the weekend’s operation, but in addition to the vehicles impounded, more than 50 infringement notices were issued,” Tairāwhiti area commander Acting Inspector Danny Kirk said.
Police also apprehended three suspended drivers and three impaired drivers exceeding the breath/blood alcohol limit.
The racers left their mark in the city and district, notably in Saleyards Road at Matawhero, the main gathering point for their “donuts” and “burnouts”.
About 150 metres of that road was yesterday still littered with the considerable amount of debris from their activities.
The road was blackened with tyre marks, covered in dozens and dozens of pieces of destroyed rubber, with several destroyed tyres on the roadside, and even one perched a couple of metres off the ground in part of the framing of a concrete power pole.
“We are incredibly disappointed with the behaviour that these people continue to display on our roads,” Acting Insp Kirk said.
“This not only causes risk to people but also damage to the roads, and it is very disrespectful — particularly given the tragic events of the previous weekend and our ongoing homicide investigation . . . also, the ongoing recovery of our community following Cyclone Gabrielle and other weather-related events.”
Acting Insp Kirk said damage to local roads from illegal activity over the weekend was still being assessed to ensure any risks posed by debris left behind (for example, blown tyres) and obscured road markings get addressed.
“We would like to thank the members of the public who got in touch over the weekend after witnessing this illegal activity on our roads,” he said.
“Information provided by members of our community is invaluable not only in holding those responsible to account, but also in ensuring we are able to pass information regarding damaged roads on to our partner agencies.”
The police work to disrupt this behaviour and hold those involved to account was not over, he said.
“We will be reviewing footage and further information received by the public to further identify vehicles and people involved.
“We will also be investigating a number of 111 calls that were made on Saturday night, which we’ve since confirmed were hoax calls made by these anti-social road users in an attempt to divert police attention from their illegal activities on our roads.”
Specialist staff from Hawke’s Bay and outside Eastern District were brought in to assist in the operation against the visiting “boy racers”.
Police were supported by a number of partner agencies, including Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John, Waka Kotahi and Gisborne District Council, as well as roading contractors, and bailiffs from the Ministry of Justice.
“I want to acknowledge the staff involved for their efforts on this operation, and to thank all of our partners for the valuable assistance,” Act Insp Kirk said.
“It has been an incredibly unsettling week for residents of Gisborne, and we have had an increased presence in the region throughout the week to reassure locals.
“The message is clear — we do not tolerate this behaviour and will continue to take action by issuing infringements and impounding vehicles if necessary.”
Police will continue efforts to keep the roads safe from these anti-social road users and urge members of the public to report any illegal road activity by calling police on 111 (or 105 if it is after the fact).
“Gather as much information as you can safely do so, including vehicle registration and description or video footage,” he said.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
