1 Feb 2009

Crackdown on boyracers after police officer ambushed

12:33 pm on 1 February 2009

A crackdown on boyracers was held in Christchurch on Saturday night after a lone police sergeant was ambushed by a gang in Wigram on Friday night.

Police say criminal activity will not be tolerated.

Superintendent Dave Cliff says a large operation focussed on industrial and rural areas, resulted in several arrests.

A number of people were arrested or ticketed for drunk driving, cannabis offences and vehicle safety matters.

Superintendent Cliff says enforcement will be increased for the foreseeable future. "Criminals using motor vehicles" will be targetted.

About 300 youths were involved in the ambush on Friday night. Beer bottles were thrown at the sergeant's car and an air rifle was fired, striking the window beside his head.

Cries of 'kill him' and 'box him in' were heard.

The home of Mayor Bob Parker was targetted last weekend.

Mr Parker says a group of boy racers gathered outside his apartment building in the central city on Saturday night, revving their engines and yelling abusively.

The mayor has taken a tough stance on boy racers, imposing "no stopping" restrictions and vehicle bans on various streets in a bid to move them out of the city.

Mr Parker says it was not the first time he and his wife have been the target of intimidation.

Dark city depicted

Last month, a German TV documentary depicted Christchurch as a city that is overrun by boyracers after dark.

The city centre was described as a no-go area at night. Police were reported to be struggling to tackle the problem.

Wigram MP Jim Anderton is calling for all agencies to get tougher, including the police, the courts and local and central Government.

He says Christchurch's reputation is suffering and there needs to be a change in the city's culture - but it won't be easy.

Mr Anderton says there needs to be a prolonged zero-tolerance policy.