A stolen vehicle carrying radioactive equipment remains missing, and Christchurch police say the thieves could be putting themselves and the public at risk.
The white Ford Courier ute, which is clearly marked "Class 7 Radioactive'', was reported stolen from New Brighton on Tuesday.
The vehicle has a "density and moisturegauge'' that uses radioactive material.
Although the amount of radioactive material was relatively small and was encapsulated in stainless steel, if it was removed by unskilled operators, it would pose a potential public health and safety concern, said Inspector Marc Paynter of Police National Headquarters.
"No one should attempt to operate or disassemble the gauge, due to the adverse health effects if they do.
"We would like to recover the gauge, fully assembled and to ensure there is no risk to the public; I appeal to the person who took the vehicle to do the right thing and let us know exactly where the gauge is so that we can have it collected,'' he said.
The ute has the registration WM1511.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the police.
