February 20, 2023
Extra police to quell looting risk
Police have deployed another 120 staff to Hawke’s Bay to help with disaster relief efforts and maintain order.
Deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha says they’re concerned about reports of robberies, looting and gang violence.
“Our people are on the ground floor providing reassurance patrolling, providing high visibility around the areas, just trying to bring calm amongst that whole devastation. As you can imagine people’s tension, the family harm incidents rising, having to go to households, so you can imagine the tensions among families will be high,” he says.
Mr Haumaha says extra iwi liaison officers are also going in to support staff, check in with the marae which are being used for emergency centres and also deescalate gang tensions.