Railway crossing bells, a rooftop tent and a wood splitter have all been stolen in Hawke's Bay, as thieves target high-value rural and contractor assets.
Senior Constable Pehi Potaka said there had been an increase in these kinds of burglaries across the region, particularly in Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay.
The list of stolen items included railway crossing bells, a rooftop tent, a wood splitter, a compactor, a cabin and a hydraulic lift.
Police suggested the items were likely stolen to order.
“These are all bulky, heavy items and there would need to be an element of planning to steal them,” Potaka said.
At two Whakatau locations near Hastings, thieves reportedly cut into industrial electrical power cables to steal bells for railway crossings – creating a safety risk.
“Crossing bells are an essential part of public safety and play a huge role in warning people that a train is approaching. The removal of these bells has the potential to cause fatal incidents,” Potaka said.
He said the stolen items were often stored in sheds, yards or unsecured outdoor locations, "and can be removed relatively quickly with a trailer or truck”.
Builders and contractors were also regularly targeted, having tools stolen.
A big driver for this type of crime, Potaka said, was meth addiction. Thieves are likely to get a very small cut of the item's value – often paid in meth.
He urged builders, contractors, and rural property owners to secure their valuables and lock their sheds. He also said people should record serial numbers for their items and name them.
“A splash of paint is okay on a building site, but not enough if your tools are stolen.”
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