Thieves take to market gardens
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Sweet corn, Water Mellon and Kamo Kamo are among the popular produce being taken by thieves who are cutting locked gates to access the gardens by vehicles.
One local market gardener in Te Teko has been targeted every week since his crop readied in December.
He told the Bop Live with out wanting to be identified that it is depressing to know that all the money and hard work he has put into his business is just being stolen from him.
"I estimate that over $2,000 worth of produce is being stolen in one night, money from my own pocket."
"I have a family and staff to pay including my various out going costs that need to be payed and if i don't have any crops to sell at the end of the day i shouldn't even bother doing business if I'm loosing everything anyway."
"I have contacted police on a number of occasions but it is a waste of time because when we get to the garden the thieves have gone."
"I have invested more money that will hopefully be returned to pay a staff member to camp over night to make sure thieves are kept out."
Police urge anyone with information or see suspicious behaviour in the area or in local market gardens to make contact with Police immediately by phoning 111.
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