Police have told the Northland Age that there is very little they can do to put a stop to the recent outbreak of vandalism in Kaitaia's main street, unless the culprits are caught red-handed.
The Northland Age understands that police know exactly who is responsible for etching tags on to windows and glass doors, where they live and who their parents are, but without solid evidence none will be charged.
There have been several spates of etching, the worst last month, when damage estimated by some as approaching $100,000 was done. Senior Constable Rowena Jones said she counted 30 damaged doors and windows within a couple of hundred metres on one side of Commerce Street.
Glass at the street entrance to the Northland Age office was damaged to the tune of $2700, and two weeks later two panels got the same treatment. Repairing that will cost $1380. The Salvation Army was also hit over the weekend, two weeks after the first damage was repaired.
Senior Constable Jones estimated the likely 0total cost of repairs, before last weekend, as running at least into the tens of thousands of dollars, but did have some advice.
