TO PREVENT LOOTING

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 12

TO PREVENT LOOTING

More Police In Town (N.Z. Press Association) GISBORNE, March 13. Police reinforcements have been sent to the flooded town of Opotiki to prevent further looting, Sergeant C. E. W. Carter, of the Opotihi police, said today. He said there had been little trouble with looting since Wednesday night. So far no arrests of people who looted stock from shops have been made. At the height of the flood late on Wednesday night some persons were reported to have picked up armfuls of goods. Others were seen trying on clothes in the street and throwing them away when they did not fit. Some were seen with armfuls of material and bedding. One man had several women’s watches in his pocket. The Mayor of Opotiki (Mr S. N. Chatfield) said looting was the worst thing one could think of in a time of disaster. “It’s a pretty nasty thing, especially when everybody has been affected by the disaster,” he said. The president of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr G. Sinel) said he could not understand people looting the stock as much of it had been damaged by the water. Sergeant Carter said he was waiting until the situation calmed down and investigations could be made.