My Account
Police have been out and about on the Hibiscus Coast, including patrolling local beaches, to ensure compliance with the Level 4 restrictions.
Rodney Area Commander, Inspector Mark Fergus says that overall, the vast majority are following the Government’s message to stay at home and only travel for essential purposes.
He says although local beaches have, at times, appeared crowded, Police are finding that most are just enjoying exercise while maintaining a 2m distance from those outside their ‘bubble’.
Police are also stopping drivers if they suspect they may be travelling for non-essential reasons – especially if they are out late at night when shops and essential services are closed.
“Our focus is on educating and informing those out in public so they are aware of the restrictions,” Inspector Fergus says. “We have spoken to a number of people over the past week and a half, and continue to engage with people on a daily basis around this. Generally, those spoken to are either out exercising, or if they don’t have a valid reason for being out in public, they comply with Police requests to return home.”
“We don’t have figures available on the numbers of people who have been spoken to, but we have not made any arrests in the Rodney or Hibiscus Coast areas in relation to people breaching the Level 4 restrictions,” Inspector Fergus says.
He says if non-compliance occurs, Police have a number of measures available to them.
Police encourage anyone who has concerns about people breaching the restrictions to notify them online at 105.police.govt.nz and Police will follow up.
