Disorderly behaviour throughout Central Otago kept police busy during the holiday period - but the messages to not drink and drive were adhered to. 

Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said of the 748 people stopped for breath testing on Omakau Race day on January 2, not one person was over the limit.

A huge police presence from across the district patrolled the racegrounds on foot while a checkpoint was set up afterwards, with no incidents to report and a large well behaved crowd, he said.

“Drink driving has been pretty good with low numbers of drivers being caught. Sober drivers have been used and many are staying at home or camping spots.”

Local pubs have been closing early over the holiday period due to low numbers, Snr Const Perkins said.

At the Speedway in Cromwell, a 27-year-old male was trespassed from the event after becoming abusive to staff.

A firearm was located in the back of his truck and he was later stopped by police at the petrol station, where a search was invoked and the weapon confiscated.

A group was removed from the Alexandra Camping Ground following incidents of disorder at two separate camp sites on New Year’s Eve.

Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Central Otago police were also called to assist a dispute at the Albert Town camping ground after a dispute involving speeding vehicles.

Snr Const Perkins said a male camper was arrested after damaging a vehicle with a golf club, and would be charged with wilful damage.

He said the roads have been very busy with holiday makers in the area, and speed has been an issue with drivers “pushing it a bit” with many issued infringement notices in the range of 10-15km over the limit.

A 20-year-old French driver was stopped in his rental car travelling between 140km/hr and 150km/hr north of Lawrence.

His vehicle was then seen at Fruitlands still travelling at 125km/hr where he was issued a ticket and his passenger took over the driving.

An elderly motorcycle rider was likely to be charged with careless driving causing injury after performing a U-turn and colliding with another rider at Millers Flat.

Police also assisted ambulance staff across the district with injuries including a runner on Mt Gold who fell 10m down a rock face, an injured female on the Motatapu Track, a party of two on the Humboldt Range, and a 35-year-old motorbiker at the Timaru Creek Camping

ground.

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