A group of males letting off fireworks in a Hastings backyard prompted a full-scale armed police response late this morning.
Police were notified just after 11am today by neighbours of a Huia St, Camberley, property, who reported hearing loud gunshots coming from the property in quick succession. The gunshots appeared to continue for some time and there were also reports of blue smoke coming from the property.
Armed police set up cordons around Huia St and the Hawke’s Bay Armed Offenders Squad was also called in.
A short time later police spoke with three people who were walking along an alleyway near the property. Further investigations revealed that a group of three or four males had been letting off fireworks in the backyard, which had caused the loud bangs.
The AOS searched the house and no firearms were found. No charges have been laid in relation to the incident.
Senior Sergeant Nick Dobson said the incident was a classic example of what could happen when people randomly let off fireworks or other explosives.
“We treat every report of gunshots or loud bangs very seriously and will respond accordingly. These people were probably not expecting an armed police response to their shenanigans, so it’s a warning to everyone to act responsibly with fireworks and similar items that may cause concern for neighbours,” Mr Dobson said.
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