KEY POINTS:
Napier police are angry at the "stupid" and "irresponsible" actions of a person who let off a hoax emergency flare early this morning.
The Coastguard and a rescue helicopter were sent out just before 6am to find the source of the flare, but abandoned the search after about three hours.
Senior Sergeant Tony Dewhurst of Napier police told NZPA the flare was probably let off from the Marine Parade shore.
"Obviously we had a lot of resources and costs in terms of deploying the Coastguard and a rescue helicopter.
"It is extremely annoying, irresponsible behaviour."
Mr Dewhurst asked anyone who knew about the prank to contact police.
"We're just very disappointed that somebody could be so stupid."
He said they had to deal with a lot of hoaxes during the year and the danger was that the public may stop reporting flare sightings and someone may not receive help if they were genuinely in trouble.
- NZPA
