Police confident Pania theft was prank gone wrong

Napier's celebrated statue Pania of the Reef - stolen in an early morning grab more than a week ago - could soon be back on show.

Mayor Barbara Arnott confirmed yesterday that she had received an anonymous letter from unnamed individuals claiming they had the statue and wanted to work out a way of returning it.

Mrs Arnott declined to detail the contents of the letter, only saying it was sent by individuals known as "us" and was "very short, and instructive".

She said discussions with the police had strengthened her confidence that the letter was genuine.

No ransom was sought, however the letter writers were eager to avoid identification and criminal charges, she said.

Mrs Arnott said the letter, which she believed was sent by locals, had been forwarded to police for testing.

In an open letter published yesterday in response, Mrs Arnott said the first step towards recovering Pania had been taken.

She asked the thieves to leave the statue "at a safe place" on a predetermined day, and she would ensure only council officers would be involved in its collection.

Mrs Arnott said that while the council would not pursue any action, the police investigation remained open.

She said the theft had continued to generate a lot of feeling among Napier residents.

"We are trying to do what we can to keep the door for dialogue open and to get the statue back safely."

The appearance of the letter appears to confirm police speculation this week that the theft was the work of pranksters who misjudged the public reaction to their acts.

Speaking on Wednesday, Detective John McGregor said he was confident the theft was a prank that had got out of control.

"I think they realised how hot the statue now is, and don't know what to do with it."

The theft of the 1.5m, 60kg bronze statue erected in the city in 1954 has dominated media and local attentions since it was stolen around 3am on Thursday last week.

The empty plinth has become something of a shrine, and is covered with notes of condolence and flowers left by the regular stream of visitors and concerned locals who have visited the site since the theft.