Police launch Wanted Persons site

The public can now view images and details of wanted people on the Police website.

Police in Wellington and Eastern Districts are the first to post to the new site which has gone live today at www.police.govt.nz/wanteds

Individuals feature on the site either because they are wanted to arrest or need to be identified in relation to a crime, for example as a suspect or witness."

31 people in the Wellington and Eastern districts are currently featured.

All Police districts are expected to have access in about eight weeks.

National Crime Manager, Detective Superintendent Rod Drew says the site is an additional tool for police to help track down offenders.

"It's going to give us a much broader audience of people with potential information about those we're looking for.

"We will still be using local media and Police Ten 7 to help us track down people, but offenders can move about pretty quickly, so having a national site gives us extra eyes out there," Mr Drew said.

"NZ Police has a high level of support from the public, which we are grateful for. This is another way for people to help us get offenders off the street."

The site has two sections, one for people who are wanted to arrest on criminal charges and another for people who police want to identify.

"The wanted to identify postings are people who Police are interested in speaking with in connection to a crime or incident.

"These people may have been caught on CCTV cameras and we will post a still shot of the footage on the site."

Not all people who are wanted by Police will appear on the site. An image will only be posted if there are reasons of urgency, or the person cannot reasonably be located by other means.

If someone has information about a person on the site, or their activities, we're asking them to contact Police on 111 or their local police.

If they don't want to speak to Police, then they can call Crimestoppers and provide the information anonymously.

Media Note:  D/Supt Drew is available for interviews until 12pm and then not until after 4pm.