[MSN] Auckland police are trawling through days of camera footage, but remain in the dark about the thieves who stole more than $200, 000 of artworks.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Police still in dark over art theft

Auckland police are trawling through days of camera footage, but remain in
the dark about the thieves who stole more than $200,000 of artworks.

A Charles Goldie painting that had been back in New Zealand for less than a
month, and a rare unbound bible - both worth $100,000 - were stolen last
week.

Seven framed Colin McCahon poems were also taken from the Auckland
University library. Police believe the theft happened between December 21
and last Wednesday.

Acting Detective Sergeant Tony McKenzie said the Auckland burglary squad had
taken over the file and were expecting fingerprint results back today. In
the meantime, they were viewing hours of camera footage from outside the
special collections area. There was no camera in the room where the art was
stored.

Mr McKenzie said police were interested in information from anyone who knew
anything about the theft or overheard any conversations about on-selling the
art.

"However, it certainly looks like they have been stolen to order."

Professor Raewyn Dalziel, of Auckland University, said the university was
now focused on ensuring existing collections were safe- guarded.

A "longer security review" was under way, with the terms of reference being
drawn up now, she said.

Along with increased security, existing security procedures were being
highlighted, she said.

"Not that people needed to be reminded, but we are focusing on anything we
think might be a little bit vulnerable."

Professor Dalziel said she had contacted three holders of similar
collections in Auckland, "very early on" about the thefts. 

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