The Department of Conservation has been given a funding boost of nearly $11 million to keep its staff safe amid increasing threats and violence from anti-1080 protesters. Since the start of this year there have been 23 cases involving dangerous and illegal behaviour towards Department of Conservation staff. Doc security manager Nic John said threats had moved from online and social media to physical attacks, threats to shoot down helicopters, vandalism, thefts and vehicles being tampered with. Mr John said three Doc staff had been assaulted this year, including one who was hit with a quad bike, but was fortunately okay. "It's completely untenable to have people going about their legitimate, everyday, and important business that Doc staff do under the threat of violence.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 04, 2019 22:30 UTC