Wellington police gear up for busy sevens weekend

File photo / Herald on Sunday

Police are gearing up for a busy weekend as the Wellington sevens tournament kicks off tomorrow.

Extra staff from Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth and Palmerston North were being deployed over the two days to ensure there was a visible policing presence at the city's stadium and in the city before, during and after the games, sevens operation commander Senior Sergeant Simon Feltham said today.

This was in addition to maintaining day to day policing services.

"Sevens fans will notice a high police presence, not only at the entrance to the stadium, but along Wellington waterfront.

"Sevens fans turning up at the stadium attempting to smuggle alcohol will be caught and risk losing their ticket."

Police, fire and ambulance personnel would operate a forward command centre in the Telecom carpark in Tory Street, which would operate throughout Saturday evening, Mr Feltham said.

Emergency services personnel would also be stationed throughout the Courtenay Place party zone.

It was the first time in the history of the sevens that all three agencies would work this way, he said.

"The Fire Service is providing its new Wellington-based hazmat/command vehicle for the evening, which will be used as a mobile command and communications centre."

Given that 34,000 fans were expected at the sevens each day, police were gearing up for the usual issues associated with a large crowd, namely alcohol-fuelled disorder, Mr Feltham said.

Wellington Hospital emergency department clinical director Andre Cromhout said the weekend coincided with building renovations, which would mean extensive delays for people with minor injuries.

"Waiting times are further compounded by the fact that we see about double the amount of alcohol-related illnesses and injuries - about 15 per cent of people who turn up here over the sevens weekend have got an alcohol-related injury or illness," Dr Cromhout said.

He urged people with a relatively minor injury or illness to see emergency services personnel stationed throughout the Courtenay Place party zone, their GP or the accident and urgent medical centre in Newtown.

- NZPA