Tracking tech used to find stolen school computers

File photo / NZ Herald

Thousands of dollars worth of stolen school computers have been recovered with the help of new tracking technology.

Police said there had been an increase school burglaries on Auckland's North Shore in August, with thieves taking desktop computers, laptops and iPads.

But a number of the devices had since been found with the help of new tracking technology, Sergeant Grant Mumby of the North Shore police tactical crime unit said.

"A number of North Shore schools have installed tracking components into their devices, meaning police are able to track the stolen items as soon as they are turned on," he said.

"The devices have been surfacing all around Auckland, some in the possession of people known to police and others with innocent purchasers".

Mr Mumby said advances in technology had made it "extremely difficult" for people to get away with this type of offending.

"Some of the devices we have located have been completely wiped, but this still does not affect the tracking technology installed."

Police have urged people buying second-hand computers and electronics to take care to ensure they were legitimate.

"If the item seems too cheap or the seller is unable to provide proof of purchase, then there is a high possibility it was unlawfully obtained," Mr Mumby said.