Kate Tapley with the police poster. Photo / Simon Baker
He's cracked big cases as television crimefighter Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald, but Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane was unaware of his starring role in Christchurch police's hunt for a burglar.
Coltrane's portly image has been used as a comparison with a 16-year-old burglar sought by police in an innovative warning
for residents in an inner-city neighbourhood.
And now media outlets throughout the world, including CNN, BBC and the Times, have seized upon the story of the popular actor from the TV series Cracker, and as the character Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.
A police leaflet features a picture of Coltrane, with the word "Wanted" in bold above, and the words "Active Burglar in this Neighborhood (sic)" below. It goes on to explain in smaller print: "Because of the Children and Young Persons Act 1989, police cannot show you a picture of the 16-year-old burglar operating in your neighbourhood.
"Robbie Coltrane is not the burglar but imagine him aged 16 with lank, greasy hair and you have the picture."
Coltrane, believed to be working in the United States, has so far expressed no opinion publicly on the unauthorised use of his image. His agent has also declined to comment.
Christchurch police downplayed the issue as a "one-off" tactic. They have heard nothing from Coltrane or his representatives.
Sergeant Phil Dean said: "The pamphlets are an initiative to present a crime prevention message to identify an increased risk to a particular, identified and small community."
Resident Kate Tapley, a fan of Coltrane's acting in Cracker, praised police after the leaflet turned up in her letterbox. Her home had been burgled twice and vehicles broken into. Legal expert Ursula Cheer said Coltrane could potentially take legal action over the leaflet, by claiming he had been defamed.
