Police angling for information to solve marine thefts

Bay of Islands police are angling for information from the New Zealand boating fraternity to help protect them against theft.

Police estimate $1 million of property has been stolen from boats in the Bay of Islands over the last five years.

This has prompted Senior Constable Wayne Mills, officer in charge of the Paihia police station, to launch Operation Recall.

Mr Mills said Operation Recall was a computer database used to record the serial numbers of game fishing reels, marine electronic items and outboard motors before they are stolen.

He said in 95 per cent of boat burglaries, owners have not been able to supply police with serial numbers of their property.

"It makes it almost impossible to identify the property and owners if located at a later date," Mr Mills said.

The database holds more than 500 serial numbers mostly from boaties in the Bay of Islands.

"The intention is to make registration of items onto this database available to people throughout New Zealand."

Once items are registered on the database owners are issued with a sticker which is to be placed in a prominent place on their boats showing their equipment is registered with the police.

Mr Mills said if boating equipment was stolen police had immediate access to the details required to enter into the main Wanganui computer.

Anyone wanting to register should contact Paihia police station or e-mail op.recallclear.net.nz.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE