Squeegee bandits back at intersections

Police say the solution to preventing a resurgence of squeegee bandits at New Plymouth intersections is simple – don’t pay them.

Sergeant Bruce Irvine said there had been a couple of incidents with windscreen washers recently but there hadn’t been the large numbers that had been seen in the past.

The solution to preventing an unrequested clean was simple, Irvine said.

‘‘Drivers should shake their head and tell them no, but the biggest thing is not to pay them.

‘‘If they do get aggressive drivers should leave and move to a safe place before calling police and we will go and deal with them.’’

In August 2017 the Land Transport Amendment Bill was passed, making it illegal for a pedestrian to wash or offer to wash a vehicle, or part of a vehicle, on a road unless the vehicle is legally parked.

Irvine said if the washers did become hostile or threatening they could be arrested.

Katrina Brunton, New Plymouth District Council customer and regulatory solutions manager, said there had been only one complaint about the washers since 2016.

‘‘Which we believe is largely due to the law change in August 2017 that gave police the ability to give infringements to window washers at intersections,’’ Brunton said. ‘‘If people are concerned about traffic safety issues regarding window washers, we would encourage them to speak to the police.’’

Gangs of window washers first began appearing in 2012 and it wasn’t long before their often aggressive and intimidating antics raised the ire of motorists, the wider public, police and local authorities.

In January 2014 two physically attacked a driver who refused to pay, leaving him bloodied and bruised.

However, since 2015, after the main instigators left the area, received jail sentences or grew up, the notorious bandits had pretty much disappeared until recently when a couple have been spotted at intersections around the city.