Zero tolerance to firearms in Lower Hutt

Two Lower Hutt men have been arrested following an Armed Offenders Squad call out last night, where occupants in a house were threatened with a firearm.

Officer in charge of the Lower Hutt CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell says Police had been plagued with a number of firearm incidents in recent weeks, where firearms have been presented and on two occasions, discharged.

The two men arrested last night, aged 31 and 26 years, are appearing in the Lower Hutt District Court this afternoon.

"We are very concerned that it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or worse. Protecting members of our communities who may be innocent bystanders is of the highest priority to us and Police will continue to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that occurs."

Detective Senior Sergeant Borrell says an altercation on a property in Oxford Terrace took place on Tuesday night, where a shot was fired. Fortunately it hit the letterbox, however the potential for serious injury was again a very real risk.

Lower Hutt Police are continuing to investigate an earlier incident in Waiwhetu shortly before midnight on Tuesday 24 August, where shots were fired in the vicinity of Cambridge Terrace and Hawkins Street.

"We have executed numerous early morning search warrants over the last three weeks utilising members of the Armed Offenders Squad and will continue to do so to target those who choose to engage in this type of activity."

Detective Senior Sergeant Borrell is pleading for information from the community that will help Police identify those who are in unlawful possession of firearms. Any information would be treated with the utmost confidence.