New Zealand’s Prime Minister was rushed out of a news conference by his security team over fears he would be confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters.
Christopher Luxon had been promoting a new policy to have more police officers on the streets during a press stop on Albert Street in Auckland’s CBD on Friday.
He was joined by his Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, a former officer, 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 ran up to him, ending the news conference prematurely.
“We have to 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 past the rest of the officers, adding, “We have to go right now, sir.”
Mr. Luxon and his team then left the Good To Go convenience store, where the press conference was held, and headed to their waiting transportation.
Luxon’s team is known to have feared that pro-Palestinian protesters believed to be heading to the press conference venue would catch him.
A member of the Prime Minister’s security team taps Mr Luxon on the shoulder before escorting him out and away from the premises.
Mr. Luxon had been promoting his administration’s efforts to expand the number of police visible on city streets.
Youth crime, particularly gang crime, is one of the major issues affecting New Zealand retailers.
Rival National Party police spokesman Mark Mitchell said the number of young people joining gangs had soared in the past five years.
‘New data shows there are more than 8,000 gang members in New Zealand, a 50 per cent increase since the Labour Party came to power in 2017.
“The data reveals a worrying trend: the number of new members aged 18 to 25 has 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 force in Auckland is expected to increase to 63 officers, while Wellington will see an increase of 17 officers and Christchurch 18 more.
Mr. Luxon had been talking about a new government policy to expand the number of police visible on city streets.
“The Police Commissioner announced that there would be more police in action in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and it is amazing to see that within weeks that commitment has been fulfilled,” Luxon said.
He said increasing the number of officers on the force was “more than a great start” and a “collaborative effort.”
Mr Luxon said it was important for the government to “do better” so people could feel safe, especially with cruise ships returning to New Zealand.
“The police are obviously at the centre of the whole issue, but they are working very constructively with the security officers of the different shopping complexes and with the city council,” Luxon said.
“What we’re here to do is make sure we have more police officers on the job.
“But most importantly, we are restoring law and order to New Zealand and people are feeling safer in their homes, businesses and communities.”
He added that the presence of more officers on the streets has yielded results since the initiative began and that business owners have also noticed a change.