The mature nature of the crowd attending this week's Hamilton 400 and an enhanced, highly visible Police presence is being credited for a lower than normal number of arrests in the City for a Friday evening.
Operational commander, Inspector Paul Carpenter, said between 5.30pm and 3.20am there were 25 people arrested and processed by the Operation 400 Processing Section.
"Normally the figure would be about 28 arrests between midnight and 4am. Our staff reported a large V8 crowd frequenting bars and restaurants until about 11.30pm when they started to head home and the normal younger crowd drifted into the CBD about 11pm."
"Overall people were well behaved and there was a good atmosphere in the City," he said.
Mr Carpenter said the general feedback from licensees and the public was that the highly visible, enlarged Police presence patrolling the CBD on foot had a calming effect.
The majority of the arrests overnight happened after 12.30am and were for breaches of the liquor ban, fighting and disorderly behaviour while a group of boy racers trying to emulate the feats of the professional drivers off the track came under Police scrutiny.
"Five arrests were made about 12.30pm for breaches of the liquor ban in Te Rapa while small numbers of boy racers circulated between Te Rapa Rd, Greenwood and Maui Streets and Tamahere before being moved on by Police."
In addition 48 infringement notices were issued, four cars were impounded, five non-operational orders were issued and three drivers were suspended while another driver was arrested after being found behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle.
"The majority of the impounds, infringement notices and non-operational orders had to do with infringements of the Boy Racer Act, for burnouts and sustained loss of traction."
Overnight Police and Fire Service staff attended a suspicious fire which saw an empty carnival tent within the confines of the event burnt down.
The 6x4m canvas and PVC structure was burnt down shortly before midnight and detectives and fire investigators are continuing their inquiries.
Traffic flow within the City was smooth however Police had concerns over the antics of several drivers heading to the race from Auckland.
"Yesterday we had the Police Eagle Helicopter fly along SH1 and had several radar units along the route, far too many large sedans were recorded driving in excess of the speed limit with a number caught speeding at over 20km/h over the limit on the Ohinewai Expressway.
"We ask that drivers leave the racing to the professionals on the track, that way we can avoid any tragedies and drivers can avoid losing their cars or taking a hit in the back pocket."
Motorists heading to the event from the south via SH3 will notice a lack of signage after one of the electronic billboards advising motorists of the detour for the V8 Park n Ride venue was smashed, causing several thousands of dollars worth of damage.
Mr Carpenter said Police were urging race fans who intended to drink alcohol during the event to ensure they had a sober driver to get them home.
"In all 13 drivers face prosecution for driving with excess breath alcohol while one driver is awaiting the results of a blood test. That figure is far too high and we ask drivers to act more responsibly and plan their trip home."
With the enlarged Police presence including a motorcycle unit and a helicopter one motorcyclist learned of the effectiveness of a coordinated approach by Police the hard way yesterday morning.
Riding in a 50km/h zone in Frankton at an estimated 130km/h the man tried to evade a Police motorcycle unit but was able to be tracked by the helicopter.
Abandoning his bike and attempting to flee on foot the man was arrested with the assistance of a Police Dog unit.
Mr carpenter said Police were very happy overall with the behaviour of the crowd at the event and afterwards in the City and they hoped the positive attitude would continue into day two of the event.
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