Canterbury Police are urging everyone to plan ahead, think safety and prepare for heavy traffic over the next three days while the A&P Show, Addington and Riccarton Races are being held.
Inspector Al Stewart urges anyone driving to/from the events to be patient, secure valuables out of sight and lock doors and windows. “If you are planning on drinking alcohol don’t drive. This is the first Cup and Show Week that the lower alcohol limits have been in effect. As this week is one of the busiest in the year for Canterbury, additional Highway Patrol and Traffic Alcohol Group staff from Southern and Waimakariri are joining us this week. We will have high visibility patrols and Police checkpoints around the city to enforce the limit of zero for any drivers under 20 years old and 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath for drivers aged 20 years and over.”
“Book taxis, use public transport or be a good mate and take one for the team by being a sober driver to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely. We don’t want you or anyone you know to end up as a crash statistic.”
Unfortunately opportunistic crime such as burglaries and theft from vehicles tend to increase during Cup and Show Week.
“Often cars parked at the A&P show or the races are targeted. To deter this the car parks and show grounds will be patrolled regularly by event security, Police and Community Patrols. You can also play your part by not leaving temptation in the window when you leave home or park your vehicle” explains Inspector Peter Cooper.
Always report suspicious activity around parked cars to Police as soon as possible and remember you can dial *555 from your mobile phone to report unsafe driving.
“The Police prevention tractor will be at the A&P show all week with officers from our rural stations on hand to answer any questions you have about joining Police and preventing crime. Yesterday (11 November 2015) some of the school groups described the tractor as the highlight of their school trip and enjoyed meeting Police and hearing how they could stop themselves becoming a victim of crime” says Inspector Cooper.
The team still has plenty of prevention information and colouring in sheets to give out so if you’re heading along to the show pop in and say hi!
Canterbury Police want everyone who is celebrating Cup and Show Week in the city, or heading further afield for the long weekend, to be safe. Lock your doors and windows, put away any garden tools that could be used to gain entry to your property and secure valuables out of site to help reduce the odds of becoming a burglary statistic.
Friday is a Canterbury Day so the roads are going to be busy. Plan for delays and please be patient.
A liquor ban will be in place around Riccarton Race Course on Saturday 14 November from 7am until midnight. Police will be enforcing the ban and visiting licensed premises throughout the week.
Canterbury Police want everyone to remember Cup and Show Week for the right reasons.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District.
