False Complaints Inverstigated

At about 11.30pm on Friday the 26th of August 2011, South Otago Police received a report of a domestic assault involving allegations of serious child abuse. This having been reported to have occurred approximately 4 hours earlier at an address in the Inch Clutha, Stirling area.

The Christchurch Communications centre received a 111 emergency call from a female stating that she had witnessed 2 young children having been assaulted by their parents at an address earlier on that evening. The caller further stated there were alcohol, drugs and a unsecured firearm involved.

Following this information 3 staff from Balclutha, the Clinton officer and a Milton officer responded followed by a Dunedin Dog unit, the Dunedin Armed offenders squad, a second dog unit and the Police negotiation team were responded to Balclutha to assist with the incident. Two local ambulance staff were also involved with the incident along with a local CYFS worker.

As a result of enquiries being made police were able to establish the call was of hoax nature and as a result a 34 year old female from Wanaka was spoken to whilst specialist staff were approaching the address. No charges have been laid at this point however the matter is still being investigated with regards to the wasting of police and ambulance resources and time.

Police are investigating previous anonymous calls to the 111 service relating to this address which may be linked to the Wanaka based female.

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