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Two people have been arrested after a police car was damaged in Wairoa. (file photo)
Two people have been arrested after a police patrol car was damaged in Wairoa, with police reminding it was still “business as usual” despite flooding in the area.
Police responded to a public disturbance report on Saturday night when their patrol car’s headlight was damaged, believed to have been fired from a house on the street.
The area was cordoned off and two men were arrested trying to exit the vehicle and a firearm was seized.
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A property on Churchill Avenue was searched with the support of the Armed Offenders Squad, but no further firearms were seized or any arrests made. The property was secured for an evidence search.
Two men, aged 23 and 22, will appear in Gisborne District Court on Monday.
Three separate gun incidents in Wairoa were reported earlier this week.
The small town was severely affected by flooding during Cyclone Gabrielleof cleaning will still take place this week.
Inspector Sam Aberahama, commander of the Tairāwhiti police force, said that while much attention had been paid to the police response to Cyclone Gabrielle, their “business as usual” policing work had not stopped.
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A building on Churchill Avenue was searched with the help of the Armed Offenders Squad. (file photo)
“I am always impressed with the resilience of our team, many of whom have been personally impacted by the cyclone and ongoing weather conditions, all of whom put the safety of their communities first as they go to work.”
Aberahama said Saturday night’s incident was a good example of a cohesive response from Tairāwhiti police, with everyone doing their part to ensure a successful outcome.
“From the frontline officers in Wairoa who were the first responders to the initial incident and the additional officers who traveled from Gisborne to provide support, to the CIB staff who assist with evidence work and prosecution file preparation.
“Our community can rest assured that even as we deal with recovery from the cyclone, police in and around the district will be present and criminal activity will not be tolerated.”
In a statement released Sunday morning, police said the number of people still unreachable after Cyclone Gabrielle fell to eight. Getting in touch with the other eight people remained a priority.
“Our employees are exploring all avenues to locate them,” police said.
KAI SCHWORER & RICKY WILSON/STUFF
“He’s a part of me,” Mike Ahuriri says of his brother Joseph Ahuriri, who has been missing since Cyclone Gabrielle hit.
The number of unreachable people also includes those who are out of touch with authorities for various reasons, they said.
Police also provided an update on crime in cyclone-affected regions this weekend.
A spokesperson said 24 people had been arrested for various offenses in the 24 hours to 7pm on Saturday night – 14 in Hawke’s Bay and 10 in Tairāwhiti.