10 May 2016

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Some of the young people who were involved in Christchurch's windscreen washing scene have been helped into paid employment.

In October last year Christchurch City Council gave Police authority to seize windscreen washers' equipment and prosecute them under the Council's Public Places Bylaw, which prohibits people from undertaking commercial activities in public places without first obtaining a permit from the Council.

Police asked to be given authority to enforce the bylaw because they were worried that windscreen washers at busy intersections were putting themselves and others at risk and causing problems for nearby businesses.

According to Police windscreen washing activity largely ceased overnight throughout the city following the Council's decision to have them enforce the bylaw.

In the six months since then Police have only prosecuted three people - two youths and one older person - for windscreen washing.

Police say they currently have no serious concerns about health and safety or crime related to windscreen washing.

Encouragingly some of the young people who were involved in windscreen washing have been helped into paid employment.

With the assistance of a youth worker they have managed to secure work, mainly in factories around Hornby.