Stolen guns in criminal hands, say police

Police estimate about 1,000 guns are stolen each year. Photo / File

A large cache of guns and ammunition stolen from an Auckland home have almost certainly ended up in the hands of organised criminals.

The 15 guns stolen in Bucklands Beach last week — and two more stolen in Northland this week — are likely to have fuelled a criminal underbelly.

Police admit it's impossible to know how many "illicit" guns are in the wrong hands up and down the country. And the volume stolen in the Bucklands Beach burglary is of particular concern, they say.

"These firearms are now in the hands of criminals," said inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Darryl Harpur. "You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out."

It appeared the owner had complied with appropriate storage and security measures, he said.

The owner of the property, Mark Willis — who drives a BMW with the licence plate AMMO and sells claybird traps and targets — declined to talk to the Herald this week.

Police estimate about 1,000 guns are stolen each year. But "given the danger" of the number stolen from Bucklands Beach, the crime took on added importance, Mr Harpur said.

On Tuesday this week, a further two shotguns were stolen in a daylight burglary in Dargaville.

Assistant police commissioner Malcolm Burgess said illegal guns were most often linked to organised crime.