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Police warn about training exercise in Northland's Whangārei Heads

Tuesday, 20 April 2021

Police are advising Northlanders not to be alarmed if they hear bangs or smashing glass, or see police officers with guns in Whangārei Heads on Wednesday.

They will be running a routine training exercise at a private property on Ocean Beach Road.

The training exercise will run from 9am to 3pm, but access to popular Ocean Beach will not be affected.

Training exercises such as the one planned at Ocean Beach help police deal with real-life situations where they need to be armed. (File photo)
Training exercises such as the one planned at Ocean Beach help police deal with real-life situations where they need to be armed. (File photo)

Local residents may be able to see police officers carrying training firearms, as well as hear small bangs and smashing glass.

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Access to Whangārei’s Ocean Beach will not be impacted by the police exercise. (File photo)
Access to Whangārei’s Ocean Beach will not be impacted by the police exercise. (File photo)

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“Please don’t be alarmed as this will be part of the training exercise,” a police spokesman said.

Police will do their best to minimise any unnecessary disruption and inconvenience to the public.

No roads will be closed or impacted, he said.

While training exercises are done on a regular basis, police staff want to advise neighbours and locals, due to the training taking place on a private property.

For operational reasons, police would not say what the training involves or how many staff will be involved.

Anyone can email constable Cat Allingham at Catherine.Allingham@police.govt.nz if they have comments or concerns.