Taranaki Police are seeking the owners of some jewellery which was recovered from two search warrants at properties in Taranaki in late October this year.
Over the last six to twelve months offenders have targeted both residential and rural properties in the Taranaki and Whanganui areas where significant amounts of property, jewellery, money, and items of sentimental value were stolen.
A substantial amount of jewellery was recovered from the two searches; however at this stage no arrests have been made.
Police ask that anyone who has been a victim of a burglary where jewellery has been taken in the wider Taranaki and Whanganui areas to contact Police.
"Police would love to be able to return these items to their respective owners and we are working through this process with the items recovered. We also ask that if anyone sees any suspicious activity including that of people offering items of value for sale at low prices to report this to Police," says Constable Maree Pollock of the Hawera Police.
“I advise all members of the public to lock their house and put security measures in place to minimise the risk. Let's not make it any easier for these offenders. It is also coming up to the festive holiday time of year so vehicle and home security should be paramount."
Protect yourself and your community by taking some simple steps:
- Make sure your house, vehicles, sheds and garages are secured at all times and use effective catches and locks
- Don't leave a spare door key hidden outside
- Invest in an alarm, quality deadlocks, and security lighting
- Keep valuables out of view
- Make the house look lived in - put lights on automatic timers and have someone open and close curtains and take the post in
- Make sure plants and trees are well trimmed - don't give thieves a place to hide
- Mark your property so it can be easily identified if recovered
- Make a list of property and record serial numbers
- Take photos of unique items such as jewellery and ornaments
- Don't put empty boxes from new purchases out with the rubbish as it advertises what is in your house - take them to be recycled
- Getting to know your neighbours is also effective in the fight against crime.
Householders should also take advantage of Operation SNAP which enables anyone to record serial numbers and other unique identifying details of their valuable goods on an electronic database for free. Visit www.snap.org.nz for further information. Operation SNAP is a completely secure website and is supported by NZ Police.
Anyone who has been the victim of a burglary where jewellery was taken in the Taranaki and Whanganui Area areas is encouraged to make contact with Constable Pollock on (06) 215 5273 to discuss their missing items.
The photographs shown are some of the jewellery recovered and if any of these items belong to you, please contact Constable Pollock.
ENDS
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.
