Vandals go on wrecking rampage
Oamaru police were plagued by wilful damage complaints during the weekend.
Vandals went on a destructive spree, throwing stones through the windows of eight businesses in one night.
Among those targeted were the Star and Garter Restaurant, Placemakers, which had two windows smashed, Whitestone Cheese and the Waitaki Community Mental Health building.
A car, parked on Humber St, had a window smashed in the same fashion.
The Friendly Bay playground was also targeted again, as vandals ripped off the spouting and smashed the electrical box of the shelter.
Oamaru police Detective Sergeant Dan Keno is appealing for help from the public to track the offenders down.
"It's going to take the whole community to get involved to put the brakes on these things happening," Mr Keno said.
If the community became an extra pair of eyes and ears for police, reporting suspicious activity straight away, it could go a long way in reducing the crime rate in Waitaki, he said.
"Parents also need to be ensuring that they know where their kids are," he said. "It's likely to be kids ... Especially at this time of year with school holidays."
Contact Oamaru police on 03 433 1400 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
