Police help out British visitors after passports, Lions tickets stolen ahead of Crusaders game

A British couple had their passports and tickets to the Lions-Crusaders match stolen from their campervan today. Photo / File

A British couple had their passports and tickets to tonight's Lions-Crusaders game stolen from their campervan in Christchurch this afternoon.

Police said in statement that the couple, together with their New Zealand-based daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren, parked the campervan on Lichfield St to go for a meal between 3pm and 6pm.

When they returned they found the vehicle had been broken into and that the visiting couple's passports and tickets to the much-anticipated game had been stolen.

After reporting the incident to police, officers realised their plight and took them to AMI Stadium to help arrange replacement tickets.

"Staff also gave the young children soft toy police dogs, arranged for the campervan to be parked at the station overnight so the family would feel safe and put the visiting couple in touch with the British High Commission for further assistance," the statement said.

Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price said the couple had recorded the numbers of the stolen tickets and police were pursuing several lines of inquiry.

He said the family had been very appreciative of the police response.

"I don't think they could believe what we were doing to help, but we were happy to get them to the game and to do what we can to provide assistance."

Meanwhile, police said they were very please with the behaviour of the crowd at tonight's match, with only one arrest for trespass.