Police briefs

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 9

Police briefs

Prison stabbing The police have shelved an inquiry into the stabbing of an inmate, aged 18, at Paparua Prison last week. Detectives spoke to the man in Christchurch Hospital on Tuesday, but he refused to co-operate. A police spokesman said the stabbing, in the prison shower block, was gang-related. Woman accosted A man, aged between 40 and 50, tried to coerce a woman into a car in Shirley yesterday. The woman was walking along Shirley Road at 2 p.m. when a beigebrown Mini pulled up beside her. The driver said “get in.’’ The woman, aged in her thirties, ran to a nearby shop and telephoned her husband, who worked nearby. The driver was European. The police are concerned about the incident because of its proximity to the Shirley Primary School. Indecent assault A girl, aged 12, was indecently assaulted while travelling by bus to her Bromley home from school on Tuesday. A man, aged between 17 and 25, put his hand up her dress. He is described as a European, or partMaori, medium build, longish brown hair, wearing a green jersey. The incident happened at 1.50 p.m. Smash and grab Watches and video recorders were taken in two smash-and-grab raids in Christchurch yesterday. A rubbish bin was thrown through the front window of The Warehouse, Carmen Road, Hornby, and four videos stolen at 1.10 a.m. Earlier a thief broke a window at Seddons Shoe Store, Bishopdale shopping centre, and took watches value at $240 from a display area. Suspicious car The New Brighton police want to hear from anyone who saw a small car leaving a Gresham Terrace, North New Brighton, house between 11.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday. A microwave oven, video recorder and camera, television and camera were stolen from the property. Tyre marks were left on the back lawn where the offender had loaded the haul into the car. Detective charged Charges of assault have been laid against an Auckland detective after complaints by two female traffic wardens. Detective Inspector Noel Plumer said the counts relate to an incident at the police club in Auckland Central police station on May 19. He said an internal police inquiry resulted in the detective, aged 30, being charged. The man will appear in the District Court at Auckland tomorrow. News shocks police The Auckland police, already 100 officers short, were shocked by suggestions yesterday that the recruitment programme was to be deferred for nearly a year. Auckland’s regional commander. Assistant Commissioner Brian Davies, said he was relying on the June intake. “It is critical for us. Graduates are earmarked for Auckland and would have brought us up to somewhere near our authorised strength, which is of particular importance with the Commonwealth Games on the horizon,” he said. The police say they are about 100 officers down on their authorised strength of 1450.—PA. ■ *