Six arrests in crackdown on alcohol related crime

Six people were arrested for alcohol-related offences in Wairarapa during the weekend's nationwide alcohol-fuelled crime crackdown Operation Unite.

The number is on a par with last year's operation, which saw seven people arrested for breach of the liquor ban and disorderly behaviour.

Sergeant Chris Megaw said 450 drivers were stopped at checkpoints on Chapel St, Colombo Rd and Te Ore Ore Rd on Friday and Saturday nights and all passed the test.

Two drivers were found to have excess breath alcohol after mobile stops in Masterton.

Officers attended Day on the Green at Alana Estate in Martinborough on Saturday, arresting four people for alcohol-related disorder.

"I think the message was sent that even though people are having time off, we aren't. Prevention is the message."

Police also ran a purchase operation, which tests liquor outlets on their ID regime by sending in underage volunteers to purchase alcohol. Constable Dean Fawcett said two volunteers went to a number of premises on Friday but none would sell them alcohol.

Operation Unite is a transtasman effort to crack down on alcohol-fuelled crime, violence and crashes ahead of the festive season and involves 1500 officers in New Zealand.

Nationally, there were 448 arrests, 170 reported assaults, 135 licence breaches and 364 drink drive offences.