The Prime Minister of New Zealand has been dramatically rushed out of a press conference by his security detail over fears pro-Palestinian protesters would confront him.
Christopher Luxon had been promoting a new policy of getting more police officers on the streets during a media stop at Albert Street in Auckland’s CBD on Friday.
He was joined by his Police Minister Mark Mitchell, who is a former officer, the Associate Police Minister Casey Costello and Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.
But as Mr Luxon was answering one of the final questions, a member of his security team rushed to him and prematurely ended the press conference.
‘We gotta go,’ the security service officer is heard saying in a video shared by The New Zealand Herald.
The bodyguard then tapped the Prime Minister on the shoulder and ushered him through the rest of the officers adding: ‘We need to leave right now, sir’.
Mr Luxon and his team then made their exit from Good To Go mini-supermarket, where the press conference was held, and into waiting transport.
It’s understood Mr Luxon’s team feared he would be caught by pro-Palestinian protesters who were believed to be on route to the press conference location.
A member of the Prime Minister’s security detail taps Mr Luxon on the shoulder before ushering him outside and away from the location
Mr Luxon’s had been promoting his government’s efforts to expand the number of police visible on city streets.
Youth crime, particularly gang crime, is one of the major issues affecting NZ retailers.
Police spokesperson for the rival National Party, Mark Mitchell, said the number of youths joining gangs has skyrocketed over the past five years,
‘New information shows there are more than 8,000 gang members in New Zealand – a 50 per cent increase since Labour came to power in 2017.
‘The data reveals a concerning trend that new members aged 18-25 have increased by 75 per cent. This is the most significant increase for any age group and clearly shows that gangs are effectively targeting and recruiting young people.’
Under Mr Luxon’s initiative, the police team in Auckland is expected to increase to 63 officers, while Wellington will see an addition of 17 officers, and 18 more in Christchurch.
Mr Luxon’s had been talking up a new government policy to expand the number of police visible on city streets
‘The Police Commissioner announced they would have more cops on the beat in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and it’s amazing within a matter of weeks to see that commitment has been followed through,’ Mr Luxon said.
He said the expanded number of officers on the force was ‘more than a great start’ and a ‘collaborative effort’.
Mr Luxon explained it was important for the government to ‘do better’ so that people could feel safe, especially with cruise ships coming back to New Zealand.
‘Police are obviously at the heart of the whole issue, but they are working really constructively with the security officers from the different retail complexes, with the city council,’ Mr Luxon said.
‘What we’re here to do is to make sure that we have more police out and about on the beat.
‘But importantly that we are restoring law and order in New Zealand and that people are feeling safer in their homes, their businesses and communities.’
He added more officers on the streets had delivered results since the initiative started, and that business owners have also noticed a change.
