Thefts spur parking warning

Rotorua police prevention manager Inspector Ed Van Den Broek said the break-ins had been reported. Photo / Thinkstock

Car break-ins at a popular forest car parking area have prompted police and Rotorua District Council to warn visitors to stick to designated car parks.

On Saturday two cars were broken into while their owners were running in the Whakarewarewa Forest.

Tom Tierney and a friend had parked near the closed gate at Eight Mile Gate Rd, close to the mill, at 7am and returned at 8.20am to find both cars had been broken into. Among items stolen were a cellphone, wallet, purse, jacket and sunglasses.

"It's disappointing," Mr Tierney said.

"It was early in the morning and if you're out there you're either there to run, walk or ride or you're up to no good. We meet up there every weekend."

He said they would probably now meet up by the Redwoods Visitor Centre or the main Waipa Mountain Bike Car Park.

Rotorua District Council deputy mayor Dave Donaldson said that area, which was a common parking area, was not a designated car park and council did not recommend people leave their cars there.

"Forestry managers Timberlands don't approve of [having a carpark there] and we have no say over that as a council," Mr Donaldson said.

"Recreational parking is an issue that council is actively addressing as the forest gets 425,000 visitors a year. The more popular carparks are less likely to have this kind of activity."

The forestry area is routinely patrolled by Independent Security Consultants Limited for Timberlands.

Forestry division manager Scott Dellow said its staff checked the Eight Mile Gate Rd as part of their patrols.

"We monitor the gate areas and do random patrols on the weekend," Mr Dellow said.

"Some of the buildings around there are monitored by other security companies.

"There's also a camera at the Waipa mill."

Rotorua police prevention manager Inspector Ed Van Den Broek said the break-ins had been reported and police were investigating.

"Police recommend people park in designated car park areas and lock vehicles," Mr Van Den Broek said.

"People should also keep any valuables out of view."