Police

Tasers and training are credited with a double-digit drop in assaults against police.

Queenstown police are warning people to look after their friends and their drinks following an alleged incident in the resort early on Christmas Day.

The Clutha policing district could be placed under Southland, if an idea floated by police is adopted.

Police have issued fewer speed camera tickets, as New Zealand motorists ''get the message about speeding''.

The Southern police district is leading the country in reducing serious road crashes, and performing well in all other key policing services.

Dunedin police will not reveal how a man, whom they described as a dangerous criminal, was able to escape from custody at the Dunedin Central police station this week.

Speed was not a factor in either of the fatal motorcycle crashes near Haast this week, police say.

Police investigating an unexplained death near Lake Hawea last week are considering the possibility the mystery object that struck and killed motorist Rutger Hale was moved from the accident scene.

Police in Wanaka are interviewing the driver of a white four wheel drive utility in connection with their inquiry into the death of a motorist on SH6 between Wanaka and Lake Hawea early on Thursday morning. 

Police are seeking information after two burglaries in South Otago early on Wednesday.

Police doubt marks seen on fingerprints of Robin Bain are the result of him having loaded a gun before his death, but David Bain supporter Joe Karam has rubbished their conclusion.

CCTV footage showing two young women apparently urinating on the floor of an inner-city business has been handed to Dunedin police.

A 78-year-old woman and 76-year-old man are among 17 people, most with connections to the Invercargill-based Road Knights motorcycle gang, charged after police swooped on 14 properties yesterday.

Southern District's new police commander wants his patch to become the safest place in the world.

Extra police will be on patrol this Labour Day, and drivers are urged to plan their journey to ensure safe travel this holiday weekend.

Police were ''unwilling to speculate'' last night whether a man's body found in a stored caravan at Cromwell yesterday was Simon James Garrick, who has been missing for about a year.

Dunedin police are calling for witnesses to a serious assault in which a 39-year-old man was knocked unconscious.