Police anger at faked sex attack

Police are furious a woman faked a vicious sex attack on the shore of Lake Taupo, wasting a day of their time, and taxpayer money.

The woman had phoned 111 in a distressed state about 4.40am on Thursday, said acting Detective Sergeant Andy Allan, of Taupo.

Patrol cars were immediately sent to look for the woman, who was found lying face-down on a beach, her body partly in the water.

Her clothes were ripped and she appeared to be unconscious, Mr Allan said.

The woman was rushed by ambulance to Taupo Hospital, and on the way told police she had been violated by an unknown male. Inquiries began and other cases were put on hold.

"After investigating this matter for the entire day, it became apparent that there were too many inconsistencies in her story and she was brought in for re-interview," Mr Allan said.

The woman admitted that it was a hoax.

A 26-year-old woman has been charged with making a false complaint to police and is due to appear in the Taupo District Court on Monday.

On Wednesday, Wellington police said an alleged pack-rape of a 15-year-old girl in the suburb of Newtown last month did not happen. That investigation had involved 25 police staff.

- NZPA