Criminal ‘half-wits’ flout rules

One in 10 people spoken to by police are ignoring self-isolation rules in South Canterbury and many are known criminals, Aoraki area commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said yesterday.

He told The Timaru Herald the criminal fraternity is flouting the Covid-19 lockdown, ‘‘driving around like there is nothing wrong’’ and looking for opportunities to commit crime.

‘‘Ninety per cent of people are good, there is always the half-wits who you have to deal with,’’ he said.

‘‘The criminal fraternity is driving around like there is nothing wrong.

‘‘The worst people are known to us.’’

His comments were backed up by Timaru police officer in charge on Wednesday, Sergeant Kevin McErlain who said in the past 24 hours, police had spoken to ‘‘a few individuals’’ who had been walking about in the early hours of the morning.

‘‘People have spoken to a few people getting around on foot. Those people are known to us, and their reasons for being out are pretty loose.

‘‘They have been spoken to about their responsibilities and their details have been taken,’’ he said.

‘‘If they continue to flout the law then considerations will be taken for the next step on how they will be dealt with,’’ McErlain said.

Gaskin said police were still in the process of educating people flouting the lockdown.

He wasn’t sure when police would move to warnings and sanctions.

‘‘How long is a piece of string?’’

He gave ‘‘full marks’’ to those complying with lockdown.

‘‘Most decent people in society realise this is a serious matter, full marks to those who comply.’’

Gaskin said there had not been a ‘‘dramatic increase’’ in family harm and family violence in South Canterbury.

Nothing had changed in terms of police and support services response to those events, he said.

Gaskin also said he was aware there was concern police and support services were not contactable by phone.

‘‘Services are available, that is an area of concern we are trying to address. It is something we are aware of, in people thinking they can’t ring us,’’ he said.

Nationally, incidents involving people spitting at police and abusing supermarket workers during the lockdown have sparked a warning offenders will ‘‘have the book thrown at them’’.

At the weekend, two spitting attacks happened, including one where vomit was spat at an officer, and on Monday night three police officers were spat on, Police Association president Chris Cahill said.

He said it was especially concerning if police or members of the public were spat on during the pandemic, and he called for a nationwide curfew.

Gaskin said he was unable to comment on the matter.

‘‘The criminal fraternity is driving around like there is nothing wrong. The worst people are known to us.’’ Inspector Dave Gaskin