Gun-owners’ stolen data under police microscope

Work under way to find out how many people affected by theft of documents

Police are taking a detailed look at more than 4000 recovered firearms licence documents in a bid to work out how many lawful gun owners have been affected.

Personal details, including names and addresses of firearms owners, were among the documents allegedly stolen from the disused Auckland City police station last month.

They relate to people in central Auckland who renewed or got a new licence between 2015 and 2017.

Some fear they could serve as a shopping list for criminals wanting to steal lawfully obtained guns.

Auckland District Commander, Superintendent Karyn Malthus believed the Vincent St burglary was in early May but police did not learn of it until May 25.

Police are now contacting people identified in 444 data sheets containing firearms licence holders’ name and address details.

Those people were being advised of the breach and that the documents had been recovered, Malthus said.

Police have set up a hotline people can call on 0800 462 379 and an email address: Vincent.Support@police. govt.nz.

The burglary is now the subject of a major criminal investigation.

So far police have identified more than 2000 documents which record only address details.

But it was too early to understand how many people had been named in the documents, Malthus said.

“Police undertake daily monitoring of any incidents involving firearm licence holders, which includes theft or burglary reports,” Malthus said.

That included two firearmsrelated burglaries in the Auckland Central Area since the theft of the documents — in Stonefields on May 22 and in Mt Albert on June 6.

Suspects have been arrested in both cases.

“There is no evidence to suggest that they are related to the Vincent St burglary, however the police investigation team will also look closely at [them] and the offenders involved.

“We continue to advise firearms licence holders to remain vigilant and ensure they have good security measures in place,” Malthus said.