A police unit being shot at in Whangārei on Tuesday morning is "alarming" for people in the region as well as officers trying to do their jobs, Mayor Sheryl Mai says.
Police said the incident, where a man allegedly fired several shots in Te Hononga St, Otangarei after failing to stop for police early Tuesday was "extremely concerning".
Northland District Commander Supt Tony Hill said the shots didn't hit the patrol vehicle and no officers were injured.
Mai said the incident was disappointing and shouldn't be happening.
"This is the last thing you want to have happened," she told Newshub.
"Firearms incidents are never pleasant to hear about."
Mai said it's "alarming" for everyone in the region.
"You shouldn't have a gun in your car - this is concerning - an officer going about their business to keep our community safe and they're threatened, it's just awful."
She said it's lucky no officers were harmed in the incident.
"I'm relieved nobody was hurt - the most important message will be if anyone has noticed anything that will help with the enquiry to just let [the] police know.
"I don't want to wake up again to another firearms incident."
Hill said earlier on Tuesday the vehicle involved in the incident has been located and an investigation is continuing.
"This incident will be extremely concerning to our community and we want to assure them that we are working hard to identify and locate those involved."
