Maori v Ireland a test run for Rotorua Police before RWC

Rotorua Police will be out in force this weekend to support festivities surrounding the NZ Maori versus Ireland rugby game in Rotorua on Friday night, with the goal of ensuring residents and visitors alike have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Bay of Plenty Police District Operations Manager, Inspector Scott Fraser, says this weekend provides another good opportunity to test Police planning and processes ahead of Rugby World Cup in 2011.

"The 2011 Rugby World Cup is a significant event for Rotorua and the rest of New Zealand. A key part of the success of the event will be ensuring it runs safely and smoothly, so this weekend is a good opportunity for us to test our planning before next year.

"Our strategy is about making sure residents and visitors feel safe and reassured at events like these – at the stadium, in their homes and on the roads. We want people to enjoy Rotorua and its events safely, and for the wider region to be seen in a positive light on the world stage.

"Ultimately we want this event to be a success for Rotorua, so that as a community, we can all reap the benefits of having these major events in our region."

Inspector Fraser says there will be a strong Police presence in and around the game on Friday night, but also around the entire region for the whole weekend.

"Our goal is to prevent crime and road trauma, but more importantly, another key focus is to provide reassurance to members of the public and to ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

"Our policing style will be to be firm, but fair, with a focus on being in the right places, at the right times, to prevent crime and incidents."

Inspector Fraser says Police will be proactively policing the liquor ban around the Rotorua International Stadium this weekend, as well as the liquor bans that are permanently in place in the CBD and reserves around Rotorua.

"We have a low tolerance approach to disorder and breach of liquor ban and we will take some level of positive action, be it a warning, confiscation of liquor or arrest.

"The implementation of a liquor ban around the stadium had a significant positive impact on behaviour at the Raggamuffin concert earlier this year, and we expect to see the same result this weekend."

Inspector Fraser says the objective of the liquor ban is to create a safe buffer zone around the venue, reducing the potential for disorder, glass, rubbish and large gatherings.

He says there will also be increased numbers of CCTV cameras in and around the stadium this weekend, to support the Police efforts to reduce opportunistic crime.

"Members of the public can also play their part in keeping themselves and their belongings safe. If you are going to the game, please make sure you lock your car and that you don't leave valuables in the car, or that they are hidden well out of sight. If you do see anything suspicious, don't hesitate to find a Police officer or to call 111 immediately."

Inspector Fraser says road policing will also be a major focus for Police, with checkpoints in place from Friday through to Sunday.

"You could be stopped anywhere, anytime this weekend. If you are stopped, expect to be breathtested. If you choose to drink and drive, you will be caught."

Inspector Fraser says Police are expecting approximately 20,000 people to attend the game on Friday night, with many more in the CBD and visiting the region over the wider weekend.

"This should be a great festival weekend in Rotorua that will help pave the way for the region's involvement in Rugby World Cup next year. We're looking forward to making our Police contribution to that event."