Chch car thieves run riot

Press, 16 June 1978, Page 1

Chch car thieves run riot

More than 200 cars are being taken in Christchurch each month, as the number of young "joyriders” continues to soar." In one recent week-end, a total of 40 vehicles had been reported missing, said the acting head of the Christchurch C. 1.8. (Detective Inspector N. J. Stokes) yesterday. Some groups of youths had been taking five or six cars in one night, he said. The steady increase of these offences in the past

few months was of “extreme concern” to the police, said Mr Stokes. Apart from anything else, tracing and recovering stolen vehicles was proving a great drain on police man-hours. “We have charged many persons with these offences, but the problem continues unabated,” Mr Stokes said. Most of the cars were converted fo. short “joyrides” by youths aged 14

to 18. Most were recovered in a damaged condition, or with property missing from them. The favourite haunts of the offenders were hotel and public car-parks, ■where far too many carowners left their vehicles insecure, said Mr Stokes. Many of the converted cars had been left unlocked, and with keys in the ignition. “This is an open invitation to thieves,” said Mr Stokes. “It is obvious that

people will have to take much greater care in securing their vehicles, if they do not want to face the cost and inconvenience of having them stolen.” Mr Stokes said that the Christchurch C. 1.8. was anxious to hear from persons who saw anyone acting suspiciously near parked cars. “Every report will be checked. It does not matter if there proves to be cause for concern or not,” he said.