Post by sparrow on Feb 1, 2009 19:43:13 GMT 12
This is appalling. I hope the people responsible are found and locked up.
www.stuff.co.nz/4834900a11.html
Cop back on the beat after boy racer ambush
By MAGGIE TAIT - NZPA | Sunday, 01 February 2009
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DAN TOBIN/The Press
AMBUSH: Sergeant Nigel Armstrong shows the damage to his patrol car after he was attacked by boy racers on Friday night. He was back to work a day later.
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As the Government mulls law changes to crack down on boy racers, the cop targeted by a group of them was back on the job last night.
Christchurch police Sergeant Nigel Armstrong was shot at by an air rifle and surrounded by boy racers on Friday night.
The incident has sparked outrage and Police Minister Judith Collins said the government was considering 14 measures police wanted to tackle the problem, including a cease and desist order.
Ms Collins rang Mr Armstrong today to see how he was, and discovered he was back at work last night.
He told her: "I'm not going to let them get the better of me."
Mr Armstrong said that the boy racer car drivers were listening to police scanners and were waiting, blocking his retreat before starting to throw bottles and then firing with an air or slug rifle.
"The police are under no illusions - he was basically ambushed and what really worries me is that if he had not been able to get himself out of that situation he could now be dead," Ms Collins told NZPA.
"These people, commonly known as boy racers, they have now moved into the truly criminal sphere with their behaviour on Friday night."
Ms Collins spoke today with Canterbury District Commander Dave Cliff and Transport Minister Steven Joyce, and is meeting Police Commissioner Howard Broad tomorrow morning.
She said police believed fines were not working and they were not being paid.
Police wanted a cease and desist order, like that used in Scotland. It would require a new offence of vehicle disorder - using a vehicle in a way that alarmed or distressed the public - would be established.
A notice would be issued to offenders and if they breached it within two years they could be jailed for three months or fined $2000, be disqualified for driving for six months, and have their vehicle impounded for up to 28 days.
Any subsequent offences would see an increased disqualification period or even a court-ordered confiscation of their vehicle.
"There's a warning procedure in there, there's a reasonably harsh first offence and then they simply lose the vehicles altogether," Ms Collins said.
"If these guys want to continue down this path we're going to really have to look at crushing a few cars."
Other changes police wanted included; licence suspension for failure to pay fines; increased demerit point penalties for speeding, and serious penalties for failure to stop for police.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has been vocal in opposition to boy racers, and they gathered outside his home in retaliation.
The Friday night incident was sparked when officers were called because boy racers were doing burnouts.
Both Mr Joyce and Ms Collins are planning to visit Christchurch.
Wigram MP and Progressives leader Jim Anderton has condemned the behaviour and called for a zero tolerance approach to boy racers.
www.stuff.co.nz/4834900a11.html
Cop back on the beat after boy racer ambush
By MAGGIE TAIT - NZPA | Sunday, 01 February 2009
Email a Friend | Printable View | Have Your Say
DAN TOBIN/The Press
AMBUSH: Sergeant Nigel Armstrong shows the damage to his patrol car after he was attacked by boy racers on Friday night. He was back to work a day later.
Related Links
Subscribe to Archivestuff
Have your say
As the Government mulls law changes to crack down on boy racers, the cop targeted by a group of them was back on the job last night.
Christchurch police Sergeant Nigel Armstrong was shot at by an air rifle and surrounded by boy racers on Friday night.
The incident has sparked outrage and Police Minister Judith Collins said the government was considering 14 measures police wanted to tackle the problem, including a cease and desist order.
Ms Collins rang Mr Armstrong today to see how he was, and discovered he was back at work last night.
He told her: "I'm not going to let them get the better of me."
Mr Armstrong said that the boy racer car drivers were listening to police scanners and were waiting, blocking his retreat before starting to throw bottles and then firing with an air or slug rifle.
"The police are under no illusions - he was basically ambushed and what really worries me is that if he had not been able to get himself out of that situation he could now be dead," Ms Collins told NZPA.
"These people, commonly known as boy racers, they have now moved into the truly criminal sphere with their behaviour on Friday night."
Ms Collins spoke today with Canterbury District Commander Dave Cliff and Transport Minister Steven Joyce, and is meeting Police Commissioner Howard Broad tomorrow morning.
She said police believed fines were not working and they were not being paid.
Police wanted a cease and desist order, like that used in Scotland. It would require a new offence of vehicle disorder - using a vehicle in a way that alarmed or distressed the public - would be established.
A notice would be issued to offenders and if they breached it within two years they could be jailed for three months or fined $2000, be disqualified for driving for six months, and have their vehicle impounded for up to 28 days.
Any subsequent offences would see an increased disqualification period or even a court-ordered confiscation of their vehicle.
"There's a warning procedure in there, there's a reasonably harsh first offence and then they simply lose the vehicles altogether," Ms Collins said.
"If these guys want to continue down this path we're going to really have to look at crushing a few cars."
Other changes police wanted included; licence suspension for failure to pay fines; increased demerit point penalties for speeding, and serious penalties for failure to stop for police.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has been vocal in opposition to boy racers, and they gathered outside his home in retaliation.
The Friday night incident was sparked when officers were called because boy racers were doing burnouts.
Both Mr Joyce and Ms Collins are planning to visit Christchurch.
Wigram MP and Progressives leader Jim Anderton has condemned the behaviour and called for a zero tolerance approach to boy racers.
