Officer goes extra mile for tourists

Morgane Silva (left) and Antoine Demolliens with Napier Police Senior Sergeant Mike Foster on Marine Parade, Napier, where their rental campervan was broken into at the weekend. Photo / Warren Buckland

A French couple visiting Napier were left with only the clothes on their backs after their campervan was broken into at the weekend.

Antoine Demolliens and Morgane Silva, from Marseilles, parked opposite Napier's MTG Theatre about 4.30pm in search of a meal on Saturday. They returned to find broken glass on the road and empty spaces in the van where their backpacks had been.

Hawke's Bay Police Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Foster happened upon the crime scene to find two young people "looking lost" beside their parked van. His intention to have a quick swim after a day's duty with the CIB was abandoned.

"I turned and went back," Mr Foster said.

"The only clothing they had left was what they were wearing."

The couple lost souvenirs and gifts, meant for friends and family in France, which had been bought during a previously trouble-free two-week tour of the North Island.

Mr Demolliens said they had parked in more isolated North Island spots and that at the time the van was broken into there had been people walking and driving about.

"It must have happened so quickly," Ms Silva said.

Mr Foster decided to step in both as a police officer and a host.

He called his wife Julie and told her what had happened and she agreed on his plan. "I told them - come home with us, we'll give you a bed and find you some clothes."

While disappointed with the incident, the French nationals were lifted by the Fosters' kindness and, Mr Demolliens said, while it was unsettling it would not deter them from returning.

"They have been really, really good and, oh yes, we will come back."

To show their gratitude the couple made tea last night - ratatouille and tapenade ... with a couple of red wines.

"Hey, I've been in their position - on the other side of the world where you do feel all alone when something goes wrong, so I feel for them," Mr Foster said.

It was not the first time he had been called to check out an incident in which people visiting the region had been targeted by thieves.

"It's not good - it's just embarrassing and I take it personally."

Mrs Foster took the pair on a shopping expedition yesterday, scouting the op-shops for clothing.

-Anyone who saw suspicious activity around the campervan is asked to phone the police on 831 0700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.