Police website offers portal to burglary victims

Nearly 400 hundred photographs of lost or stolen items of jewellery that were recovered by Police in the Auckland region late last month during Operation Castle have been catalogued and uploaded onto the Police website where the items can now be viewed and claimed by their rightful owners. The photographs have been uploaded in six categories - watches; bracelets; rings; necklaces and chains; pendants and brooches; miscellaneous items (including coins, earrings and medals); - and, as of this afternoon, visitors to the Police website at www.police.govt.nz can identify and claim items via a specially designed Operation Castle "shopping cart" system. Anyone who sent an e-mail message to the dedicated Operation Castle address - opcastle@police.govt.nz - since April 23 when the operation was terminated throughout Auckland, will receive an e-mail advising them where to look on the website for the photographs. Visitors to the site are strongly advised against trying to claim items that don't belong to them as there are robust systems in place designed to check the authenticity of claims. ENDS Issued by Noreen Hegarty Auckland City Police Communications Manager Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589 Website: www.police.govt.nz