Police seek mob involved in Kerikeri crime spree

Police are seeking information on the mob that rampaged through Kerikeri.

Police are appealing for help in identifying members of a "mob" that left a trail of damage and stolen cars in Kerikeri.

Between midnight on Saturday and 3am on Sunday two tourists were assaulted on Kerikeri's main street, thousands of dollars worth of windows were smashed at the high school, four vehicles were taken and one scooter was stolen and set alight.

Police also received reports of another three vehicles broken into or interfered with, although earlier unconfirmed reports put that number much higher.

All but the assaults occurred in the area around Cobham, Hone Heke and Lanark Rds.

Kerikeri police Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson said no one had been arrested as of yesterday but police were reviewing CCTV footage in the hope of identifying the offenders.

He urged anyone with information about the spree to call the Kerikeri station on 09 407 9211 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Two cars taken from Lanark Rd were still missing as of yesterday. They were a silver Nissan Presea, registration AQT842, and a red Toyota RAV4, registration GCW539. The scooter was taken from Cobham Court and found on fire on the Domain about 3am.

Earlier, around midnight, a Dutch and a German tourist were assaulted outside the BNZ Bank on Kerikeri Rd. Passers-by, who came to their aid, were also assaulted. Mr Robinson said it was not yet known if the assaults, the school vandalism and the car crime spree were connected.

The number of people in town had been boosted by two major events - the Ocean and Orchard Festival on Kerikeri Domain, which finished at 6pm, and a birthday party on Saturday night. Mr Robinson would not say where the party was held.

One of the stolen cars was found crashed near Okaihau on Sunday morning.

Wallets, laptops and personal items were taken from other vehicles.

Acting Sergeant Mark Roberts said the offender allegedly involved in the tourist assaults was known to police. He was with three associates at the time. The victims were punched and kicked, as were two passers-by who went to their aid.