Kaitaia Crimewatch ‘viciously attacked’

Kaitaia’s Crimewatch Facebook page has accused Northland Age editor Peter Jackson, TV1 journalist Helen Castles and “the police” of a vicious attack on April 22, stating three officers had been shot and/or stabbed in Kaitaia.

The article (Crimewatch in disgrace, April 25) described police as being “deeply unimpressed” by the post. Senior Sergeant Russell Richards said reported attacks on police were “not remotely true,” and “the contribution made by Kaitaia Crimewatch had caused a good deal of totally unnecessary stress and anxiety for a lot of people.”

The post, and several hundred responses, were taken down early the next morning.

A subsequent post said Jackson, Castles (who did not report on the incident) and police had caused disquiet in the 50,000-strong “Crimewatch family”. (The page currently claims 5028 members).

“The first our community knew of the result of the ‘event’ was in a local newspaper where we the KCW family were viciously attacked by those who should be looking out for us, not attacking the community,” it said. “There were many frightened people in Kaitaia that night, gunfire (police said no shots were fired), police helicopter circulating overhead, tyres screeching, armed police roadblocks and absolutely no communication from the authorities until a local newspaper attacked the community for its concern. Peter Jackson, Helen Castles and the police, you have failed our community.”

Meanwhile a response to the article on the Northland Age Facebook page, quoting “a very good source,” said police had “tear gassed the house with kids in it. That’s why he brandished the weapon. Cops got scared and rang armed defenders and the helicopter (sic)”.

Senor Sergeant Richards said the helicopter and AOS were called before the wanted man was arrested. AOS was stood down without involvement. Kaitaia police do not have access to tear gas.