Bags stolen from visiting girls' water polo team

Several Australian girls in a water polo team will have less than happy memories of Auckland after they had their bags stolen from the back of a car last night.

Five blue backpacks with the letters NSWWPI and a pink Running Bear gear bag were stolen from the back of a Silver Toyota Previa station wagon while it was parked at the rear of the La Porchetta restaurant on Lincoln Rd, Henderson, west Auckland, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

They all belonged to the visiting New South Wales under-16 girls' water polo team.

Sergeant Shaun Palmer, of Henderson police, said the contents included wallets, digital cameras, cosmetics, clothing, souvenirs and cash in excess of A$1500.

"The girls are all extremely upset about what has happened to them," Mr Palmer said.

"They are not worried about the cash but are more concerned about having their other property returned."

The team are due to fly out at 6.30am tomorrow and would like the bags returned before they leave. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

- NZPA