Police Notebook: Man dies in suspected spa pool drowning

A 40-year-old Rotorua male was suspected to have drowned in his spa pool after a medical event.

A man has died in a spa pool from what police say was a suspected medical issue.

The 40-year-old man died on Sunday afternoon.

Area prevention manager Brendon Keenan said the death was not deemed to be suspicious and it was thought he could have suffered from a medical event while in the pool.

Keenan said CIB detectives were called to the incident, which was routine when there was a sudden death.

It was part of a busy weekend for Rotorua police which also included a suspicious fire on Brookland Rd and a separate incident of a man taking himself to Rotorua Hospital with serious injuries.

Keenan also advised the public needed to be mindful of rising gang tensions in Rotorua at the moment.

"If you feel unsafe, call the police."

Road policing unit stop high speed drivers
More than 100 drivers have been busted breaking the speed limit in the last week.

During the past week 140 drivers have come to the attention of police for a range of offences.

While 135 of those drivers were stopped for the fatal five offences, 101 of them were for speeding.

The fatal five offences are speeding, not wearing restraints, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while distracted, and dangerous or careless driving.

Keenan said people needed to watch their speed, with the highest recorded over the last week at 138km/h.

The road policing unit has been focused on the state highway networks around Rotorua for the past few weeks.

Keenan said fatigue was another common factor they were seeing on the road and was often related to speed.

"People start feeling tired and think if they go faster they can get home sooner.

"Instead people need to take a break when they are tired or share the driving when you can."

Police urge neighbours to report family harm

During the last week 60 incidents of family harm were reported to Rotorua police.

"When we talk about family harm, that can be a loud argument, the breaking of property, a lot of shouting, kids screaming, doors slamming," Keenan said

"It is anything that causes physical, emotional and psychological harm. The psychological harm is the big one, that doesn't heal as quickly."

He said police encouraged neighbours or people who were concerned to report back to police.

Ten burglaries over the last week

There's been a spate of burglaries in Glenholme and Fenton Park.

On Friday two properties in Fenton Park were broken into, one on Clouston Cres and the other on Ward Ave.

At the Clouston Cres property both a French door and rear door were smashed - a laptop, mp3 player and charging power cable were stolen.

The mp3 player was found at the Ward Ave property where a burglar got in through a smashed rear French door.

A laptop, iPad, perfume and alcohol were all taken from the property.

Stolen vehicles
A grey 2000 Honda Odyssey, registration FCL757 was stolen from Clinkard Ave, Glenholme, last Monday.

The licence plate AYQ752 was stolen from Union St in Victoria last Tuesday.

Any information can be given to Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on (0800 555 111).