Eyes on yellow sticker scheme

ROTORUA - Rotorua police are considering introducing the controversial yellow under-25 stickers to combat car thefts.

Police already operate the scheme in Christchurch despite complaints that it discriminates against young people.

A similar Lions-sponsored initiative in Timaru has resulted in a complaint to the Human Rights Commission.

Inspector Ray Sutton, of Rotorua, confirmed that he had talked to Christchurch police about the scheme with the possibility of introducing it in Rotorua.

Drivers aged over 25 have been encouraged to put the stickers on their cars. Police then stop any stickered vehicle if they suspect the driver is under 25 to check whether the person is legally in charge of it.

Christchurch police said 600 fewer vehicles were stolen in the first nine months of the scheme, compared with the same period the previous year.

Mr Sutton said he would wait until all Human Rights Commission cases were heard before introducing the scheme.

"It would be foolish for us to forge ahead until those cases are sorted," he said.

"Personally I don't think it goes against human rights - it's a choice thing.

"There is no compulsion on anyone to have the stickers on their vehicles. It has been beneficial to some areas so we are looking at it," he said.

Taupo and Tokoroa already had the stickers available for the public, but motorists had shown little interest in using them.

- NZPA