1 May 2022

Attack on police speed camera van leads to serious assault investigation in Southland

6:39 pm on 1 May 2022

A motorcyclist has attacked a speed camera van, injuring the operator inside, police say.

red van and city car parked in the shadows of the buildings. (Photo by: Marco Scataglini/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

File image. Photo: Getty Images

Invercargill police are now investigating what they say is a serious assault.

In a statement, police said just before 8.20pm on Friday, the camera operator was in the red vehicle on Dee Street.

"Our investigation has established that a person riding a motorcycle has stopped a short distance away from the van before approaching it," Inspector Jon Bisset said.

"The person, who was not known to the camera operator, has then used a metal object to smash one of the van's windows which resulted in the victim being struck and receiving moderate injuries.

"This was an extremely serious and distressing incident for our police employee and he was fortunate not to have received more serious injuries."

The employee is recovering at home.

Police want to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault or observed a motorcycle in the area at the time.