Police warn of bogus earthquake inspectors

Earthquake damage on Avonside Drive near Avondale Road in Christchurch. Photo / Geoff Sloan

Christchurch police are again warning that people may be passing themselves off as officials so they can steal in the wake of Monday's earthquakes.

No significant earthquake-related crime had been reported since the quakes and the nights had been quiet, but police did get one or two calls about people wearing high visibility vests and possibly passing themselves off as earthquake response workers, said Canterbury police district commander, Superintendent Dave Cliff.

"A high viz vest is no guarantee of authenticity and we encourage people to ask for identification."

People were urged to report suspicious behaviour - anyone who looks out of place, or unknown vehicles and people cruising around streets - to police.

After the deadly February 22 quake Christchurch saw a spike in burglaries and a number of people trying to pass themselves off as EQC staff, wearing high-visibility vests, going door-to-door and asking people about their electronic equipment.

- NZPA