As stated by Inspector Brett Calkin, Central District Prevention Manager:
Central District Police targeting boy racers have continued to have great success as part of Operation Spider Web, which terminated last week.
The offending took place on Makomako Road in Palmerston North on June 9 and 10.
As of Tuesday, June 27 a total of eight people are facing charges of sustained loss of traction.
In addition to this charge, some of those drivers will be facing Dangerous Driving and Driving whilst Disqualified charges.
As well as the 10 vehicles Police impounded on Wednesday, June 21, we have impounded one other vehicle.
Police are still actively seeking to locate a further four vehicles and interview the drivers.
Some of the registered owners of the vehicles involved have been served notices under the Land Transport Act to supply information as to the identity of the driver within 14 days.
If that information is not forthcoming further charges will be filed against those registered owners for failing to supply information.
The road surface of Makomako Road cul-de-sac has suffered significant damage and it’s estimated to be in excess of $70,000 to repair.
A significant portion of this damage has been caused by drivers performing sustained loss of traction on vehicle tyre rims.
The Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) has had to deploy street sweepers on at least 30 occasions to clean up the debris of blown tyres at a cost to the ratepayer in excess of $6,000.
The PNCC has also recently installed speed bumps in El Prado Drive and Bennett Street at significant cost to deter offending in these areas.
The drivers who have been charged, have been summonsed to appear in the Palmerston North District Court on either August 1 or 3.
No footage or photos of the alleged offending will be released as the matters are before the court.
Anyone that sees anti-social road user behaviour or suspicious activity around vehicles should call Police on 111 if it’s happening now, or you can file a report online at 105.police.govt.nz, or contact us via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org
