Quiet night on the beat for mayor, councillors

Police were packing extra firepower as they cruised Dunedin streets over the weekend armed with one mayor and two city councillors.

But, perhaps fortunately, the trio were observers to a quiet night of good-natured revelry during the hours they were on patrol.

Mayor Dave Cull and Crs Jinty MacTavish and Colin Weatherall were invited by police to tour the streets of the central city, University of Otago campus and North Dunedin during the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Cull said it was the first time he had been offered a first-hand look at the police in action.

He spent several hours in patrol cars and on foot, from midnight until 3.30am, and found the experience "very instructive", despite seeing little to cause alarm.

"I saw a lot of people enjoying themselves ... it was a happy atmosphere from what I could see," he said.

"I had some very convivial conversations."

Police escorting Mr Cull were called to assist one young woman who had been assaulted while alone in the city centre, he said.

Although she seemed "all right", it was a reminder of the potential dangers of being alone in that environment.

"You have just got to realise there are risks," Mr Cull said.

Cr MacTavish said the invitation from police was a "great" experience, despite a "reasonably quiet night".

"I thought it was a great opportunity to get out there and experience what the police and campus watch crew experience each night.

"There was nothing going on really ... but I understand that that's not necessarily the experience the police have every night."

- chris.morris@odt.co.nz