Constable Snickers missing for weeks

A north Auckland police station’s crimefighting cat Constable Snickers has been missing for a fortnight.

The nearly two-year-old tabby and local celebrity was last seen on October 16, Whangaparaoa police watchhouse officer Charlotte Jones said.

Snickers, who has his own Instagram page ‘Snickers the Police Cat’, is social and friendly and is often seen on his ‘‘beat’’ crossing the busy main road to hang out at Coast Plaza.

He can often be seen browsing the library, sneaking into movies at Hoyts Cinema, sleeping in Farmers and leaping into the McDonald’s drive-through window.

He has also taken to making himself at home in nearby houses.

It’s not uncommon for Snickers to go missing - he disappeared once for two days, another time for four days. He was found several kilometres away each time.

He wears a collar, but each time he’s gone missing his collar has been gone.

The collar explains that should he be found around the area, he is not lost, only wandering, and would come home eventually.

He’s sociable, cuddly and ‘‘would be anyone’s friend’’ - a bit like a dog, Jones said.

He loves all things ‘‘cats aren’t supposed to like’’ and has a knack for jumping into car

‘‘Everyone does really love him and miss him.’’

boots, which might have gotten him into some trouble this time.

Born in late 2015, Snickers was the kitten of Jones’ cat, and is the Whangaparaoa station’s third cat in 25 years.

Jones remains hopeful the ‘‘really cool cat’’ will turn up.

Locals have volunteered their time to go searching and people coming into the station ask after him, she said.

More than just a paw-trol cat, Snickers also helps comfort vulnerable victims who visit the station.

Jones said there had been a positive sighting of Snickers in Shakespear Rd in Army Bay on Tuesday, five kilometres from the station.

Residents managed to take a photo of the cat but couldn’t keep him in, and searching around the property turned up nothing.

While the cat in the photo looked ’’very thin’’ in the face, it had the same features as Snickers, she said.

‘‘Everyone does really love him and miss him.

‘‘I can tell you, when he’s found he’ll be spending some time in the cells.’’

If you find Snickers contact the Whangaparaoa police station on 09 424 6500 or take him to the nearest vet.