- Mayor Nobby Clark highlights community role in curbing boy racer damage.
- Southland Police respond to dangerous boy racing, seek public assistance.
- Public urged to report reckless driving to prevent accidents and injuries.
In a recent statement, Acting Senior Sergeant Blair Shirley, Southland Road Policing Manager, highlighted an urgent appeal to the public to help combat the increasing problem of boy racer activity in the community.
The plea comes following an incident late Saturday night at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Mill Road North. Police were called to the scene around 11:30 PM after receiving reports of approximately 50 vehicles gathering in what was believed to be a boy racer event.
The group reportedly moved to Lorne Dacre Road before police arrived. There, the situation escalated around 11:50 PM when a vehicle, allegedly performing deliberate skids, lost control and crashed into bystanders. This incident resulted in two injuries, one of which was serious enough to require hospitalization for lower-body trauma, transported by attendees rather than emergency services.
As police reached the scene, the crowd dispersed, but not before the vehicle involved was impounded, and its driver was apprehended for questioning.
“Police understand the community’s frustration with these recurring incidents. We are committed to disrupting this dangerous behavior and ensuring public safety,” stated Shirley. “However, we need the community’s help to report these activities as they happen or provide any information that might help in our investigations.”
This latest incident underscores the significant risks such activities pose not only to those involved but also to innocent bystanders and the broader community. The police warn that engaging in such reckless behavior will lead to stringent enforcement actions.
The Southland Police continue their efforts to identify and address boy racer gatherings and urge anyone with information, especially video footage of such events, to contact the police directly at 111 if the incident is ongoing, or at 105 for past occurrences. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.
Editors note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Invercargill City Mayor Nobby Clark.