POLICE REPORT

Regretfully I have to report that a body wasfound near the Wharawhara track last Saturday by a tramperwho waswalking his dog.

The body has since been positively identified as that of Shaun Stephen Donovan, aged 36, whowent missing on August 13. The matter has been referred to the coroner. Hopefully this bringssome closure for family and friends.

Ihave previously mentioned that there were going to be extra staff allocated to the Katikati station as part of aWBOPpolice district resourcing review. It has been recognised that the area is growing. As a result Katikati are to have fivenew uniformed officers.

The policing boundaries for Katikati are also increasing hence the requirement for morestaff. Previously Katikati’s policing area started at Bridgman Lane to the north and ended just south of Esdaile Rdto the south. Thenew boundary willnow incorporate Omokoroa, Minden, Whakamaramaand Te Puna to the Wairoa Bridge. This is a significantly larger catchment andwewill be committed to providing the best service thatwecan.

■ At around 7.30am on November25 amale motorist wasassaulted after what can only be described as yet another road rage incident on SH2 in the Aongatete area.

■ Over the past few months a solar panel has been stolen off the top a caravan parked on a section inHydeSt.

■ OnNovember 26-27 a 2010 homebuilt diesel tank trailer, coloured green and silver, registration 22L42wasstolen from a orchard on MatahuiRd.

■ Anumber platewasstolen from a vehicle parked in a public place on or about November29.