The North Shore Police Tactical Crime Unit have recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen school computers with the assistance of new tracking technology.
During the month of August, North Shore Police saw an increase in the number of schools being burgled with property such as desktop computers, laptops and iPads being taken. A number of these devices have now been located with the help of new tracking technology.
The officer in charge of the North Shore Police Tactical Crime Unit, Sergeant Grant Mumby says, “A number of North Shore schools have installed tracking components into their devices meaning Police are able to track the stolen items as soon as they are turned on”. He says, “The devices have been surfacing all around Auckland, some in the possession of people known to Police and others with innocent purchasers”.
“The latest advancements in technology is making it extremely difficult for offenders to get away with this type of offending” says Sergeant Mumby. “Some of the devices we have located have been completely wiped, but this still does not affect the tracking technology installed”.
Police are urging people buying second hand computers and electronic devices to be diligent and to take every step possible to confirm the legitimacy of the item. Mumby says, “If the item seems too cheap or the seller is unable to provide proof of purchase, then there is a high possibility it was unlawfully obtained”.
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Issued by Katherine Manaton/Communications Manager/Waitemata Police
021 192 1243