Central's most wanted now on police website

The Central police district's most wanted offenders are online with the launch last week of the district's wanted person's webpage on the police website.

Matt Ratu from Stratford is among the first to feature on the website. Wanted for failing to appear in the Hawera District Court on money laundering, he should not be approached, according to the police who warn against approaching any of the wanted people.

There are currently 20 featured on the Central district webpage. Individuals feature if they are wanted to arrest or need to be identified in relation to a crime.

Central District police intelligence manager, Inspector Peter Thurston, says the site, which also has a "wanted to identify" webpage, is another effective channel tool for police, along with Police Ten 7 and local media.

"This site is a practical tool that gives police the ability to inform a wide range of audiences.

"It's also another channel involving the public that helps us fight crime in our communities. The support we get from the public and local media is invaluable when locating offenders," says Peter.

The national Wanted Persons site was launched in June 2012 and Wellington and Eastern districts were the first to have a presence.

Not all people who are wanted by police will be posted on the site. Images will only be posted if there are reasons of urgency, or the person cannot reasonably be located by other means. The site has two sections, one for people who are wanted to arrest on criminal charges and another for people police want to identify.

"If you have information regarding any of the people on the page, or their activities, we strongly encourage you to contact your local police station, or send us an email at centralwanteds@police.govt.nz," Peter says.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

View the webpage at www.police.govt.nz/wanteds