Two young men have been arrested after a firearm was discharged dangerously close to a house in rural Cheviot during an alleged illegal hunting incident.

Police were called in the early hours of 29 March after reports of shots being fired from the road, within 40 metres of a home. The incident woke the occupants and caused significant distress.

Following CCTV enquiries, officers executed a search warrant at a local property, seizing six rifles and 163 rounds of ammunition.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with unlawful possession of firearms (x3), unlawful possession of ammunition, and discharging a firearm near a dwelling. He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 29 April.

An 18-year-old man has also been charged with three counts of unlawful possession of firearms and is due to appear on 16 May.

Cheviot Police Sergeant Rob Irvine said the rural community is concerned by increasing incidents of poaching during the Roar period and is actively working with Police to report suspicious behaviour.

“We have heard our community who tell us they are frustrated by this type of behaviour, and we will not tolerate it,” he said.

Police encouraged residents to call 111 to report any illegal hunting if it is happening at the time, or to use 105 or the Police website for matters after the fact.