Man chained to silo arrested

Bolt cutters and an angle grinder were used by Police overnight to remove a man who chained himself to a grain silo at a piggery between Cambridge and Te Awamutu yesterday.

Te Awamutu Sub-Area Manager, Senior Sergeant Dave Simes, said officers from both towns went to the property shortly before 9pm to remove the man at the request of the farm manager.

"The man and some supporters had been there since yesterday morning and there'd been mixed messages about how long he intended staying up there.

"As a result, with the farm manager requesting the man be removed, a decision was made to evoke the Trespass Act and a number of staff climbed the silo to place the man under arrest."

Mr Simes said initially Police tried to cut the chains holding the man to the silo using bolt cutters but this proved ineffective so an angle grinder was used.

"The man had a helmet and visor placed on him to ensure his safety and he was removed without incident. Charged with trespass and being unlawfully on a property the 22-year-old South Auckland man will be appearing in the Hamilton District Court today."

Mr Simes said Police were grateful for the land owner's cooperation in not getting involved by confronting the group but letting Police deal with the situation.

"In some cases confronting people illegally on your property can lead to an issue escalating, in this case the farmer called Police and the matter was able to be dealt with without further incident or any injury.

"If land owner's find themselves in similar circumstances our advice is if they refuse to leave, don't confront the trespassers but dial 111."