Editorial: Don't let criminals ruin events

MISSING BIKE: Veteran Rotorua IronMaori contestant Sarah Wiwarena, 70, on her distinctive Specialized- branded bike on Saturday. Just hours later it was one of three bikes stolen from her group's vehicle outside a Westshore motel.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

It is amazing how it only takes one or maybe two people to attempt to put a damper on the most successful of events.

The only thing to do is to refuse to allow the terrible actions of a minority to rob events that are great successes.

This past weekend we had two annual occasions - the Haumoana Market Day and the IronMaori Quarter Ironman - that attract crowds of people. Both events are the result of the hard work by people dedicated to making the occasions a success.

I am always amazed at how many people flock to the Haumoana Market Day each year, with proceeds going to the local school. As for any of the IronMaori events, who could not be impressed by the determination and effort shown by Heather Skipworth and her team to do something to tackle our health problems?

Well done to both teams for fantastic achievements. However, a note to the creeps and low-lives out there who did there best to ruin these great days - the community will not tolerate this sort of behaviour.

For those who do not know what happened, four visiting competitors in Napier for Saturday's IronMaori Quarter Ironman had their bikes stolen from their vehicles. On a day of achievement and fun - a day full of camaraderie and success - it is disappointing that there are people out there who reckon it is okay to take what is not theirs.

Moving on to the Haumoana Market Day, we had a man who thought it was all right to attach a camera to his shoe and film up women's skirts. We don't know how many innocent victims he violated with his clandestine camera but one is one too many.

It is a sad day that we have to be vigilant at big events, but these criminals must be afraid - the community will not allow them to spoil their fun.