Wool may be stolen to order says manager

By Vanessa Bidois

TAUMARUNUI - Wool thieves targeting farms and woolstores could be stealing to order.

Taumarunui wool warehouse Elco Direct has stepped up security after losing about $30,000 worth of stock in the past year.

Branch manager Max Downey said yesterday that cheeky criminals had been stealing the company's own trucks to haul away the wool bales.

Thieves were stealing three or four times as many bales from farms than they had in the past and were taking top-quality wool, he said.

Police in the central North Island have also reported spates of farm thefts this year, particularly dozens of farmbikes. Mr Downey said: "Anyone can really steal wool - the chance is there - but what worries us is the person who's receiving it.

"I suspect they might be stealing to order."

Mr Downey said farmers had been struggling financially for the past few years and the theft of 20 wool bales could have a big impact on their budgets.

Chris Lester, the chairman of Federated Farmers' meat and fibre producers section, said farmers needed to be vigilant. He suggested neighbourhood watch schemes.

Constable Matt Cranshaw, of Morrinsville, said farm thefts were epidemic. Farmers should report strange cars or people to police.