Police have issued around 100 infringements, impounded five cars and arrested two people in a crackdown on anti-social drivers in Palmerston North.
On Saturday night about 400 cars gathered around a car park on Main Street. Police set up checkpoints at its entries and exits, and stopped and spoke to all the drivers.
Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said the strong Police presence put a dampener on the evening and the majority of the cars left by midnight.
However some moved on to the Settlers Line/Railway Road area and were seen doing burnouts on the road. These cars were stopped and impounded.
One car attempted to flee but was quickly spiked and crashed into a ditch. The two occupants were arrested and the driver was charged with failing to stop.
Altogether, five vehicles were impounded for either fleeing from police or for sustained loss of traction.
About 100 infringements were also issued to drivers for a range of licensing and driving offences and vehicle-related defects.
"I am extremely impressed with the officers involved in the operation for the professionalism they displayed in sometimes testing circumstances," Inspt Grantham said in a statement on Sunday.
"We hope this result provides some reassurance to the community that we are working hard to keep our roads safe and free from anti-social road users.
"We will continue to maintain a presence at these types of gatherings and will work hard to disrupt and deter anti-social road user behaviour in our region."
