Timaru warning to gangs

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32486, 22 December 1970, Page 1

Timaru warning to gangs

(New Zealand Press Association) TIMARU, December 21. The Timaru police are determined to stand no nonsense from motor-cycle gangs and other hooligan types if they converge on Caroline Bay during the holidays.

Additional patrols, including dog-handlers, are to be brought into the city from this week.

Chief Inspector B. W. Gibson, in charge of the Timaru police district, said today: “We. are going to crack down hard right from the beginning. We will not tolerate disorderly behaviour from louts who attempt to disrupt the enjoyment of law-abiding people.” Inspector Gibson indicated that the police intended to take a harder attitude even than last year, when 1970 was ushered in with 18 arrests on Caroline Bay. He said all police leave over the holiday period had been cancelled. Extra police from Christchurch, including police dogs and their handlers, would be brought to Timaru, and special patrols would start this week. Liquor laws will be strictly

enforced. A special watch will be kept for youngsters committing offences involving liquor. A close watch would be kept on driving, and people should be warned not to drive if they intended to drink, he said. An attempt would be made to stamp out the casting of dangerous litter, particularly bottles, in public places.

“Members of motor-cycle gangs and other louts intent on creating disorder should take warning and stay away from this place.

“Normally law-abiding persons who intend to drink should be encouraged to leave their cars at home and share cars with non-drinking drivers, or ride in taxis,” he said.

Additional patrols will be mounted by the Ministry of Transport, which will concentrate On driving offences involving liquor.