Search and Rescue keen to recover stolen radios

After the theft of vital search and rescue equipment, Dannevirke Police are urgently seeking information which will lead to its recovery.

"Between 8.34am and 9.30pm on Monday a burglary occurred at a residential property in Cole St," Constable David Frith of the Dannevirke Police said.

"Various items were taken, including a plastic case containing six Tait TP8100 hand-held radios.

"These belong to Tararua Search and Rescue and are used in all searches for missing people in the Tararua and Manawatu area and are paramount in organising and communicating with search teams.

"The Tararua Search and Rescue organisation is desperate to get these items back," the constable said.

Mr Frith said the radios are easily identifiable and are bright orange and engraved with Tararua SAR.

Tararua LandSAR was formed in 2003 and in 2009 three of its members were praised by the Polish ambassador at the time, Lech Mastalerz, for their efforts in finding the body of tramper Jacek Gryzbowski. They searched in rugged terrain during poor weather conditions and plummeting temperatures, in the Rimutaka Ranges in May 2008.

A letter written on behalf of Mr Gryzbowski's parents acknowledged the search efforts of the Tararua Land SAR, saying the volunteers "performed the search with an exceptional determination and excellent professionalism".

If you have any information relating to the burglary or the whereabouts of the radios, please phone Constable Frith at the Dannevirke Police on 06 374 4500, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.