Fleeing drivers and opportunist thieves in the Teviot Valley have had their criminal activity halted thanks to the work of local police and their counterparts.

Roxburgh’s sole charge constable Reece Harpur attended yesterday’s Teviot Valley Community Board meeting to provide an update on the latest happenings across the district.

He said a wide range of activities had been keeping police busy in the area, including fleeing drivers, search warrants, and car break-ins.

Const Harpur said many of the offenders were from outside the district, including someone who had been breaking into vehicles and fraudulently using credit cards.

“Through CCTV we were able to solve that case.”

Police tracked the vehicle and the culprit in Invercargill, and subsequently returned stolen property to its owner.

“That just shows you [some offenders] are mobile.”

He said it was possible the problem was mainly associated with youth offenders.

“I’m keeping my eye on that.

“It just shows you these things are happening and the unfortunate part then, is our leads are very limited if you don’t get forensics . . . but we have had some good results of dishonesty [offending].”

Police also had a strong presence across the Teviot Valley during the roar and duck shooting season, targeting back roads, areas that are not monitored as often as others.

“A lot was educational around firearms safety. It was a good overall result.”

Const Harpur said police had also conducted multiple search warrants in the area, primarily for the misuse of drugs act.

“As a result of that, we’ve got a large quantity of cannabis.”

He said it was valued at between $12,000 to $14,000, and now it was off the street it had taken that harm away from the community.

“So, it shows you it’s happening . . . it happens in every community.”

Another drug related incident saw police charge and prosecute a Roxburgh resident for supplying methamphetamine and cocaine.

Police have also been busy conducting educational programmes in the event of a school lockdown scenario to help limit the risk of harm, through armed offenders training.

He said even if someone only remembered one aspect of the training, it could be the difference between life and death.

Const Harpur said police also recently had a check-point where 230 vehicles were stopped and posed no problem.

“It was really good - pleasing to see.”

However, speeding motorists were still a problem.

He said while it is an issue in the Teviot Valley, some of the higher speeds in recent times have been clocked in other places like the Maniototo, with speeds in the 160km/h to 170km/h range.