Brazen thieves have stolen more than 70 fence panels from roads around Auckland’s North Shore, costing ratepayers $75,000 and creating safety hazards.
Authorities are appealing to the public for information about the thefts, the most recent of which took place last week, but which stretched back to November.
More than 60 fence panels have been stolen from atop a new retaining wall, between Silver Moon Rd and a raised pedestrian crossing on Gills Rd in Albany.
It follows the theft of 10 panels from a Glenvar Rd site in early November, according to Auckland Transport (AT).
An AT spokesperson said a total of 76 fencing panels had been stolen from the North Shore area, costing around $75,000 to replace.
Upper Harbour Local Board deputy chairperson Uzra Casuri Balouch said locals were outraged over the theft of fences, which were intended to help keep pedestrians safe.
“The appalling theft of these panels has put the public’s safety at risk, as these fences were protecting pedestrians from the drop-off of a steep embankment,” she said.
“We’re disgusted by the actions of these thieves, and all the thefts have been reported to the New Zealand Police, and the incidents are currently being investigated.”
The large black metal pool-style fencing panels would have required at least two people, a “fair amount of time”, and a car to remove, according to the AT spokesperson, who appealed to the public for any relevant dash camera footage of the incidents.
People with information have been urged to contact police or AT.
