Firearm incidents in Alexandra spur warning

Central Otago police have issued a reminder around firearm safety measures following recent incidents in Alexandra.

A police statement has reminded firearm users to always apply the seven rules of firearms safety, "particularly rule 5: check your firing zone".

Senior Constable Graham Perkins said there had been a couple of incidents in the town recently, where residents had been using firearms near public walking areas and conservation land.

“Our landscape in Alexandra has changed compared to what it was 10 to 20 years ago," he said.

"We now have houses and lifestyle blocks situated on what were previously larger farms used for recreational hunting or pest control.

"This means you could more easily encounter people out walking or biking in what previously were areas used for hunting or target shooting.

Land owners needed to be aware of who was using land adjacent to their own, Snr Const Perkins said.

“We are not trying to spoil hunters' fun, we simply want to keep people safe and ensure that recreation is undertaken in the most appropriate place," he said.

"What was appropriate 15 years ago, may not be as appropriate now."