Police out in force in Levin, one year on from boy racer conflict
Events a year ago this weekend turned violent, with confrontations between a large crowd and police in Levin.
Photo:
NZ Police / Supplied
Levin residents say police and hoons are already out in force on the anniversary of earlier conflict.
Last year, a gathering of more than 200 people and cars
in Levin turned violent
on Saturday 1 June, with a crowd blocking the town's main street, and officers reporting projectiles thrown at them.
On Friday night, posts on Levin social media groups said at least one police helicopter was circling the town, with commenters reporting the helicopters were tracking boy racers.
"Sounds are going hard now, from police sirens to choppers, to burn outs, to police chases ... quite uneasy for Levin locals," one person said on a local forum, shortly before 11pm, Friday.
"[We] will see if this current government puts its 2025 boy racer legislation where it's mouth is," another commenter said.
Stuff reported a large gathering of boy racers were expected in the town for King's Birthday Weekend, but were not wanted.
Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden told Stuff the town has "had a gutsful", and did not want hoons coming back and causing "mayhem".
Police were aware of the event and had plans and resources to respond, he said.
Police did not immediately respond to RNZ's requests for comment.
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