Threatening texts spread

More threatening, sexually explicit text messages are being sent to girls and women in the South Island, Christchurch police say.

Teenagers at a Christchurch high school started receiving the texts last Friday, and police in Blenheim have had reports of similar cases.

The texts are being sent from a prepay cellphone, worrying police, who have sought a warrant for the Vodafone phone records to try to track down the sender.

Constable Matt Bailey of New Brighton CIB told the Press newspaper today there didn't seem to be a link between the victims, who ranged in age from young girls to middle-aged women.

The texter used the name Ghost and the case was worrying because it wasn't clear how the person was getting the victims' numbers.

Mr Bailey said police were seeking a warrant to obtain more information about the texter from Vodafone.

"These are lewd, threatening text messages...they are sexually explicit and quite threatening." he said.

A Vodafone spokeswoman said the matter was between the phone company and police, and Vodafone could not comment further.

- NZPA