Fears stolen firearms could be in the 'wrong hands'

File photo / NZ Herald

West Coast police area commander Inspector John Canning says he fears that a cache of firearms stolen from Inchbonnie on Sunday could be in the "wrong hands".

Five rifles were stolen from a locked cabinet some time between 5am and 11am.

"We are taking this theft very seriously, and we are looking at the type of security used for the guns and the house and where they were being kept," Mr Canning said today.

Police were unsure whether the burglary was "targeted or opportunist".

"No matter what, it was not the standard sort of burglary."

His greatest concern was that the weapons were in the wrong hands.

"It spells disaster - most crimes, including armed robberies are committed by people using stolen firearms, and we don't want that happening here."

Police are seeking help from the public to locate the stolen firearms, described as:

Winchester Model 70 .270 calibre with a Leopold scope, black barrel and a light clamp on the scope.

Remington Nitro pump action shotgun with a black stock and barrel with synthetic coating all over.

Benneil semi-auto 12-gauge shotgun with a black synthetic coating all over and the barrel slightly worn.

Old style side-by-side shotgun with a double trigger and wooden stock.

Savage .22 calibre rifle fitted with a silencer and a BSA scope.

Both the Savage and the Winchester are missing their bolts.