Latest news with #LevinInvasion
1News
2 days ago
- Politics
- 1News
Boy racers involved in Levin event say they 'don't condone' violence at police
Two boy racers who were at the Levin invasion over the weekend say they "don't condone" the violence directed at police officers. Five spectators and several police officers were injured as the gathering of around 1000 people spiralled out of control on Saturday. A woman who was spectating the event had both of her legs run over. 1News has seen footage of a young man getting hit by a skidding vehicle, badly injuring both of his legs. He is currently unable to walk and is awaiting surgery. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. ADVERTISEMENT This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. Several officers were injured after being pelted with rocks, bottles, and struck by fireworks as they worked to break up the gathering. Two boy racers – who did not want to be identified on camera – told 1News they took part in the skidding but left when police showed up with riot shields. "Half of the people that were shooting fireworks at the cars and creating that violence towards police don't even have a skid car there, they're just spectators,' one boy racer told 1News. He claimed the leader of the 2025 Levin invasion ended up 'in the cells'. Ten people have been arrested in relation to the event, and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said more are likely. 'Could have been a lot worse' ADVERTISEMENT Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have both condemned the illegal street activity in Horowhenua. The Police Commissioner described those who took part as 'menaces and morons', while Mitchell referred to those involved as 'moronic bloody idiots'. "Two of my colleagues were injured last night by fireworks. It could have been a lot worse," Chambers said. "These idiots were intentionally targeting our police officers and firing skyrockets at them, including bottles, rocks. I think there were a couple of idiots that had tomahawks," Mitchell added. 'I'd rather not live than stop skidding' The boy racers say they love to skid but want somewhere to do it safely – without the violence. "We don't mean to piss off the community. We really don't because we're part of the community," one of the boy racers told 1News. ADVERTISEMENT "I'd rather not live than stop skidding." The other of the two young men said they've tried to get skid pads "but the government keeps saying that we can't get one 'cause we've got no registrations or warrants on our cars". After 1News pointed out that it was the law to have registrations and warrants on vehicles, he was adamant he would continue to skid. "We're still out here dong it anyway," he said. "Would they rather the streets get teared up or a skid pad?" Two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. The changes will be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025.
1News
3 days ago
- 1News
Arrests after Levin boy racer event injures police, spectators
Ten people have been arrested after police and spectators were injured following a boy racer event involving around 1000 people in Levin and Palmerston North overnight. Boy racers and other spectators swarmed the intersection of Oxford St and Bath St at around 10.30pm yesterday. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. "Fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle were all used against police who were attempting to break up the gathering," Manawatū Area Prevention Manager Inspector Ash Gurney said. ADVERTISEMENT Spectators crowd the Oxford/Bath Street intersection as boy racers did burnouts yesterday evening. (Source: 1News) "Two police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks that did not require hospitalisation." By 11pm, officers armed with riot shields took back control of the intersection, and most of the crowd ran away. The Police eagle helicopter was also hovering above. Officers held their lines as glass bottles were being thrown at them, and some in vehicles continued to drive past and through them. 1News witnessed several arrests at the scene. Five people were arrested and will appear in the Levin District Court in the coming days on disorderly behaviour and driving charges. Five bystanders struck by cars doing burnouts ADVERTISEMENT The group then moved to the intersection of State Highway 57 and Tavistock Rd, where police "were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including a number of burnouts", Gurney said. A bystander was struck by a car doing a burnout. An ambulance attempting to get to the pedestrian was delayed by people and vehicles and blocking the roads, Gurney said, leading police to "employ tactical options – including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd – to allow it through". Several police vehicles were damaged and had tyres slashed during this period, he said. The crowd then moved to the intersection of SH56 and Tiakitahuna Rd, where "further burnouts and unsafe driving took place". Gurney said four bystanders – aged 16 to 20 years old – were hit by cars. One female had both of her legs run over, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries. One driver who struck the bystanders was tracked by the police Eagle helicopter. An 18-year-old man was taken into custody "after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers". He is due to appear in the Levin District Court on Tuesday on a raft of serious charges. Diesel poured on intersection Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city, where the group – which had dwindled to an estimated 200 people – set up again around 2am. The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight. ADVERTISEMENT Over the next hour, "several other instances" of single vehicles doing skids and burnouts were identified by officers. 'The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,' Gurney said. 'The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death. 'On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no Police officers were seriously injured." Gurney said staff will be deployed from Central District and Wellington to respond to "any potential further activity" this weekend. 'This behaviour has no place in our communities' - mayor In a post to Facebook this morning, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said he understood the "concern and disruption" that last night's event had caused for the community. ADVERTISEMENT "This behaviour has no place in our communities. I want to acknowledge the significant planning and swift response by police and emergency services to keep our people and our roads safe," he said. "Their work helped prevent a repeat of last year's dangerous and unacceptable events." Just two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. Those changes were to be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025. Police with riot shields attend a boy racer event in Levin. (Source: 1News) The new measures included destroying the vehicles of those who flee Police, street racers, intimidating convoys, and owners who fail to identify offending drivers. Police would also get more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas and issuing infringements. The infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle would increase from $50 to $300, and the court-ordered fine would increase from $1000 to $3000. - Additional reporting by Abbey Wakefield
1News
3 days ago
- 1News
Police swarm Levin boy racer event with riot shields, dogs
Police responded with riot shields and dogs at a boy racer event held in Levin overnight. Boy racers and other spectators swarmed the intersection of Oxford Street and Bath Street at around 10.30pm yesterday. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. By 11pm, officers armed with riot shields took back control of the intersection, and most of the crowd ran away. The Police eagle helicopter was also hovering above. ADVERTISEMENT Police with riot shields attend a boy racer event in Levin. (Source: 1News) Officers held their lines as glass bottles were being thrown at them, and some in vehicles continued to drive past and through them. 1News witnessed several arrests at the scene. Just two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. Those changes were to be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025. The new measures included destroying the vehicles of those who flee Police, street racers, intimidating convoys, and owners who fail to identify offending drivers. Police would also get more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas and issuing infringements. ADVERTISEMENT The infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle would increase from $50 to $300, and the court-ordered fine would increase from $1000 to $3000.
