Important keys stolen with vehicle

Police are asking for public assistance to help recover keys that were in a vehicle stolen from Kaiapoi and are crucial to ongoing maintenance of the Christchurch water system.

The dark grey Nissan Navara ute, registration DDW275, was stolen around 5.15am from Clemence Water Wells in Kaiapoi and has since been spotted in the Yaldhurst/Russley Road area of Christchurch. The vehicle has Clemence Water Well sign-writing over it.

A number of keys inside the vehicle are needed for maintenance staff to work on the vital water supplies for Christchurch, Hurunui and Waimakariri. Replacement of the keys would cost a significant amount of money.

Detective Sergeant Rex Barnett said: "I would like to appeal directly to those who have this vehicle to find some way of getting these keys back, anonymously or otherwise. The water system is in a fragile enough state as it is, with the community heavily reliant on its ongoing maintenance so hopefully whoever has the keys has some conscience and will find a way to return them."

Anyone else who knows the whereabouts of the vehicle and/or the keys is asked to contact Constable Jake Rowse on 03 313 2685 or Det Sgt Rex Barnett on 03 313 6166.