Police fear acid stolen for methamphetamine

Thieves who stole 200 litres of hydrochloric acid from the Kawerau pools complex may have been taken to manufacture methamphetamine, police say.

Senior Sergeant Mark van der Kley said they could not rule out the acid was taken for drug-making, despite the chemical's very strong smell of chlorine.

Kawerau District Council engineer Brian Derbyshire said the theft was planned because the acid was locked in a shed and was the only item taken.

"They broke through the fence to get to the shed. They were certainly targeting the drum of acid. It is a phenomenal amount of acid to take," he said.

"My major concern is that whoever stole the drum has decanted it into smaller containers and thrown away the drum. The acid will burn on contact with the skin and with it being school holidays I would hope that young children do not come across it.

"We cannot emphasise enough not to touch it."

Mr Derbyshire said the red plastic drum the acid was easy to identify.

The acid is normally used to clean concrete.

"They would need a lot of concrete if that is what it has been taken for."

Mr van der Kley said it would have taken more than one person to move the drum.

- NZPA