Back
1426 days ago

Bishop Viard students recognised by police

Reporter Community News

Two students from Porirua’s Bishop Viard College received an Area Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation on Friday, for helping police catch a man suspected of committing a spate of burglaries across Wellington District.
On the day in question, one of our dog handlers was tracking a stolen vehicle in Porirua. The driver crashed the vehicle and ran on to Bishop Viard School grounds, where students Oliver Toru-Tyrell and Rob Head saw what was happening and decided to act.
Fresh from rugby training, the teenagers put skills they learned on the rugby field to good use and tackled the man. Their intervention stalled him long enough for the officer and his police dog to start tracking.
The suspect jumped through a window into an office to escape. After putting up a fight, he was apprehended by the officer with assistance from the two students, who also made sure Public Safety Team staff could access where the officer was holding the suspect.
Police staff were grateful for the warm welcome they received from the school when they attended assembly on Friday to present Oliver and Rob with their certificates. The school students sang as the officers walked into the school hall.
Addressing the assembly on Friday, Inspector Nick Thom said: "The community rightly expect Police to keep them safe - and for Police to achieve this, we also need the public’s help. Oliver and Rob were brave to do so during the incident when they could have stood by and taken no action."
Without their assistance the outcome would have been very different. Their actions assisted in preventing further significant harm in Wellington District and ensured the community is much safer.
Principal Chris Theobald commended the boys for acting in a way which was in line with their school values, and for being a good example to their peers. Both Rob and Oliver are considering a career in Police later down the track.
The man they helped apprehend has been charged with 26 offences, primarily burglaries.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
14 hours ago

🧩 Crack the Code: Today’s Riddle Challenge! 🤔

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I’m a three-digit number; my tens digit is five more than my ones, and my hundreds digit is eight less than my tens—what am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
2 hours ago

Last call for entries to our Resene Shed of the Year 2025!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Take a look at Paul Bates' "surprisingly roomy" Tardis-inspired shed which took out our 2023 title, and if you reckon your shed is right up there, well, you could be in the running to win a robot lawnmower, Resene vouchers and a subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us why your garden shed is New Zealand's best, and send up to 5 high-quality photos to Resene Shed of the Year 2025, NZ Gardener PO Box 6341, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142. Or email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2025.

Image
4 hours ago

Assault in Miramar

The Team from Wellington District Police

Police are asking for the public's help after a man was assaulted and seriously injured in Miramar on Saturday.
Emergency services were called about 4.55pm to Miramar Ave, after the man had been approached by a group of young people.
He has then reportedly been assaulted and has fallen, striking his head on the concrete.
The man was transported to hospital in a serious condition and continues to receive treatment.
Police are now working to establish the full circumstances of the incident, and locate those believed to be responsible.
We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the incident or the group, or who might have CCTV footage of the incident or the surrounding time period.
If you can help, please use our 105 service and quote reference number 250215/6620.
You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Image