26 Jul 2024

Neighbours at war leads to police call and arrests

12:28 pm on 26 July 2024

By Hamish McNeilly of Stuff

Dunedin High and District Court

Two people will appear in the Dunedin District Court following tension between two neighbours. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Escalating tension between warring neighbours ended with smashed windows and arrests.

Police were called to a Riselaw Rd property, in the Dunedin suburb of Calton Hill on Thursday, about 5pm, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said.

Two people, one from each neighbouring property, were arrested.

That included a 51-year-old male, after he allegedly smashed the windows of his neighbour's property.

The alleged victim, a 38-year-old woman, was arrested on a charge of possessing a knife when confronting her male neighbour.

Both were expected to appear in the Dunedin District Court next week.

Bond said the incident began when the woman heard a smash at the front of her property, and found a broken window.

While no-one was present at the front of the property, the back window had suddenly smashed, Bond said.

"She's gone out there and she's been filming it at the time."

The male neighbour, who was captured on camera, did not give an explanation over the cause of the incident.

Police spoke to both neighbours separately. They now have bail conditions to stay away from each other.

- Stuff