Sleepless neighbours told street racers had permit

Police say they are stumped by claims rogue street racers used a bogus permit to ensure their event in Hamilton was not stopped.

Residents who called police to complain on Friday night say they were told that the event had been approved by Hamilton City Council and a fax received to endorse it.

Today, Inspector Paul Carpenter of Hamilton police said he could find no evidence to support those claims.

He could find no evidence of a fax and no staff he spoke to knew anything about it.

But local resident Kim Vuletich said she called police at 10.30pm on Friday and was told there had been dozens of complaints about screeching tyres and engines revving.

"She (the police staff member) said I wasn't going to like what she had to say but a street race had been organised and approved by Hamilton City Council."

The staff member said the permit faxed to police gave approval for activities on Kent St, Lake Rd and High St, Ms Vuletich said.

"She then told me approval for the event was given until 2am. I couldn't believe it," Ms Vuletich said.

On Saturday she called the council's noise control officers and was told they were aware of a "dodgy fax" sent to police authorising the event.

City council regulatory manager Graeme Fleming doubted anyone in the council would have sent the fake fax and it was highly unlikely a street race event would be approved.

The event was held in the former Capitol Cars yard on Friday night and staff at the company's new yard said it was a controlled event on private property.

- nzpa