Aim murder police recover CCTV bicycle

Scottish backpacker Karen Aim was killed in Taupo last month.

A distinctive bicycle has been found as police close in on the killer of Scottish backpacker Karen Aim in Taupo.

Detective Sergeant Tony Manunui said a bicycle had been recovered from a Taupo address, following the public release of security footage showing a bicycle being ridden in the grounds of Taupo's Tauponui-a-Tia College around the same time Karen Aim, 26, was attacked last month.

The bike and other exhibits were being forensically examined and the results are expected in the next two to three weeks. "We still have inquiries to complete, as well as forensics," Manunui said. "We are confident we will get someone for this murder."

Police hunting for Aim's killer have arrested a 14-year-old boy and charged him with an attack on a 17-year-old woman in Taupo early on January 5. The woman was attacked with a jagged rock, and police were amazed she was not killed or more seriously hurt. Aim was attacked early on January 17. Police defended the time it took to investigate the January 5 attack and make an arrest.

"I don't see any reason there would be an inquiry into how police investigated the earlier incident," Manunui said.

"I am satisfied we had sufficient officers and resources investigating that earlier incident and a thorough investigation was undertaken.

"Our biggest problem was the lack of any positive leads in identifying who was responsible.

"At the time of Karen Aim's death we were still investigating the first assault, and had completed most of those inquiries open to us, but again we lacked any positive leads to identify the offender."

Asked whether the Taupo community should be concerned about a killer still being on the loose, Manunui said: "While we shouldn't live in fear, the community should still take a common-sense approach to personal safety, especially young women.

"The reality is they should not take any unnecessary risks, such as walking home at night alone or putting themselves in a position which comprises their safety."

The town remains on edge over the murder. "People are worried about security," said Taupo RSA manager Karen Katene. "We are worried no one has been held accountable."

One resident, Tony Gee, said: "The worst thing is that everyone is waiting to hear something. The rumours change from a young person to three people involved."

A public meeting has been called by the lake-side community to voice grave concerns about the recent spate of brutal violence. Businesses met members of the Sensible Sentencing Trust a fortnight ago to ask for help and voice support in fighting violent crime. A larger community forum with the trust will take place on March 31.

"After the homicide of Karen Aim, we had a lot of people invite us to meet them," trust spokesman Garth McVicar said. "The crime happening in Taupo is starting to affect business. They want to reduce the level of crime and do what they can to reduce the underlying problems."

Taupo mayor Rick Cooper supports the meeting. Justice Minister Annette King has been invited to attend, plus MPs Ron Mark and Simon Power.