To be attributed to Inspector Nicky Cooney, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander:
Police are searching for a man missing in the water near Ōhope after fleeing from Police last night.
At 6pm yesterday Police responded to a family harm-related incident at Ōhope Beach.
When officers arrived, the alleged offender - a 48-year-old Whakatāne man - ran away and jumped into the harbour.
Officers engaged with him and attempted to get him to come out of the water but he refused, continuing to walk away from them.
When the man started swimming further away and against the outgoing tide, members of the public who were nearby sourced paddleboards, kayaks and a boat and went to assist, but the man was not located.
Coastguard and rescue helicopters were then deployed to assist the search for the man, however he has not as yet been found.
A search for the man will continue today, with the assistance of the Police National Dive Squad.
