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Police release photos of damaged car

Deena Coster

Police have released photographs of the damage caused to a patrol car when it was attacked by an unruly crowd connected to a car event in New Plymouth on Saturday night.

Efforts are ongoing in terms of identifying who is responsible for the damage to the vehicle, in which a lone officer had driven to reports of a crash at Centennial Drive.

When the officer arrived about 11pm, the vehicle was attacked. One male jumped on the bonnet and shattered the windscreen, while others threw bottles and cans, smashing the back window.

An hour earlier, in the Connett Rd/ De Havilland Drive area, the driver of one of 100 or so vehicles taking part in the event lost control while performing a burnout and hit a parked car, which struck a woman standing next to it. She was taken to hospital for treatment.

Yesterday, Detective Senior Sergeant Debra Gower said enquiries were ongoing, and charges against those who organised the car event, or people who attended, have not been ruled out.

Enforcement action in relation to any individual or groups identified as breaching Covid-19 restrictions was also under consideration, Gower said

in a statement.

To date, only one person – an 18-year-old male – has been formally charged in connection with the event. He will appear in court, on a charge of sustained loss of traction, in early November. Police have asked for anyone with information or video footage of the event to get in touch, or lodge a report online.

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2021-10-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

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