11 Dec 2008

Arrest warrant crackdown in Christchurch

7:19 pm on 11 December 2008

Police in Christchurch arrested nearly 200 people on Thursday in a blitz on outstanding warrants.

About 100 police officers took part in Operation Justice, chasing more than 700 people in Canterbury with outstanding warrants.

Canterbury District Commander Dave Cliff says most of the warrants relate to failures to appear and breach of court orders.

Mr Cliff says Operation Justice is part of a broader crackdown on crime as the police focus on the traditional Christmas spike in house burglaries.

He says police are committed to keeping people safe in their homes, and that includes making sure offenders front up in court when they are supposed to.

Mr Cliff says anyone who has an outstanding warrant should turn themselves in - or they may be spending Christmas in the cells.