Assaults on traffic camera operators are on the rise -- and Police aren't sure why

Figures released to NewstalkZB show 32 assaults were reported last year -- up from seven in 2020.

Two of the country's 78 operators have been physically injured on the job over the past four years.

Road Policing Manager Superintendent Steve Greally says most are near-miss incidents, which involved verbal abuse, objects being thrown at the vehicle, and people deliberately driving close to parked vehicles.

He says he can't speculate on the cause of the behaviour.