MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Police – 1080 threat – how the public can help
Ngā mihi. Many people will understandably be concerned about the threat to contaminate infant and other formula with 1080. I want to reassure everyone that Police and our partner agencies are doing everything we can to keep the public safe.
It is important to remember that the letters could possibly be a hoax and our own assessment has shown the risk of contaminated products getting into the market is low. However, given the nature of the threat Police is treating the matter seriously.
Identifying who is behind these threats is a high priority for Police, and we have deployed all necessary resources to this investigation. We are also working very closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other partner agencies.
Police always intended to make this investigation public, but we had to carefully balance when that should occur. It is not unusual for Police to conduct the initial stages of our inquiries away from the public eye, however we have now reached the stage where we believe information from the public could be of assistance.
I encourage anyone who has any information that could help to phone the Operation Concord team on 0800 723 665 or email opconcord@police.govt.nz. We have already had some very useful calls from members of the public with information.
Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
District Command Centres (DCCs) are an important part of Police’s efforts to ensure our resources are deployed when and where they’re needed most. They have proved their worth on numerous occasions across the full range of our work, from responding to major weather incidents to policing large events.
The most recent examples of the value of the DCCs occurred in Auckland last weekend. Thanks to the information fed into the centre from CCTV cameras, Police staff were able to quickly apprehend suspects in a liquor store robbery and an attack on a couple in Myers Park.
Staff in the DCC had been able to see the suspects in the park attack laying in wait for their victims, and had deployed officers to speak to them as the incident unfolded, meaning these youths were caught before anyone else was hurt.
Well done to all involved.
Until next time, stay safe.
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