Extra police for holiday hotspots

Southern Lakes District police will be joined by 100 extra officers to cope with the influx of holidaymakers.

Police from Dunedin and Invercargill will boost patrols and keep a watch on revellers at Christmas and New Year, when the region's population peaks.

Central Otago's population doubles – from 16,650 to 35,000, according to the Central Otago District Council – while Wanaka's permanent population of 5000 residents rises to more than 25,000.

Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell,of Wanaka, said some estimates put the peak holiday population closer to 50,000.

Wanaka station is staffed by 15 officers but on New Year's Eve 60 staff, mostly from Dunedin, would ensure celebrations did not get out of hand, Mr Grindell said.

Police would concentrate on hotspots, including Ardmore St, the waterfront party and Lake Hawea, which could attract a 3000-strong youthful crowd for music concerts, he said.

Police would keep close watch on motorists, bars and camping grounds too, Mr Grindell said.

In Queenstown, with a permanent population of about 11,000, the peak population is more than 50,000, according to a council growth projection.

Senior Sergeant John Fookes said about 50 extra officers would join 15 permanent staff during New Year's Eve.

Queenstown and Arrowtown will have five extra officers in each station from tomorrow. Officers would concentrate on patrolling the CBD, camping grounds, Glenorchy and Kingston on New Year's Eve, Mr Fookes said.

The sheer number of people visiting the district was not a concern and extra staff would be on duty until January 3, he said.

"If you have more people you have more offending but Queenstown has been good for the last few years."

Central Otago sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Jill Woods said the district's quota of 25 officers would go up to more than 30 during the holiday season.

Three officers will join the Alexandra station, two go to Ranfurly station and another two to Cromwell station.

Asked if there were any hotspots, she said the whole region was busy and officers would be on district-wide patrols.

Extra staff would return to their respective stations early next month, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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