- Friday 30 July 2010
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Kerosene Creek advice has tourists steamed up
ENGLISH tourists Anna Wright, Louise Wootton and Sarah McElhiney. PICTURE: TRACEY ROBINSON (230904tr17)
By KELLY BLANCHARD in Rotorua
When Anna Wright, Louise Wootton and Sarah McElhiney told people in Rotorua they had been robbed of their bags from the boot of their car at Kerosene Creek, no-one was surprised.
The English tourists have been left wondering why people tell tourists to go there if they know there is a chance they could lose all their possessions.
The girls found out about the hot water creek from reading the New Zealand edition of Lonely Planet. Their copy of the book had no warnings about crime in the area, although the latest edition has a warning that "cars have been broken into in this area, don't leave your valuables in your vehicle".
Senior Sergeant Dave Wilson said the car park at Kerosene Creek had been changed recently and there had been a noticeable reduction in thefts from cars in recent months.
Rotorua Tourism Advisory Board chairman Neville Nicholson suggested attractions, activities and even campervans should be ranked according to their safety.
Visitors could then be given a flyer reminding them to stay clear of any attraction that did not have a safety stamp.
Mr Nicholson said visitors often dropped their guard because they perceived New Zealand as a safe destination.
"We are absolutely sick and tired of it.
These mongrels are ruining our country and ruining our reputation."
Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne suggested Rotorua residents continue to recommend places such as Kerosene Creek to visitors but also make sure they told them of the potential risks.
He said some people were afraid to admit crime occurred in certain areas because it could affect the area's image.
"It's no good not advising people about the risks ... it helps to just remind them that it is a place that is sometimes preyed on and if they see anyone dodgy hanging around, they should contact police."
When Anna Wright, Louise Wootton and Sarah McElhiney told people in Rotorua they had been robbed of their bags from the boot of their car at Kerosene Creek, no-one was surprised.
The English tourists have been left wondering why people tell tourists to go there if they know there is a chance they could lose all their possessions.
The girls found out about the hot water creek from reading the New Zealand edition of Lonely Planet. Their copy of the book had no warnings about crime in the area, although the latest edition has a warning that "cars have been broken into in this area, don't leave your valuables in your vehicle".
Senior Sergeant Dave Wilson said the car park at Kerosene Creek had been changed recently and there had been a noticeable reduction in thefts from cars in recent months.
Rotorua Tourism Advisory Board chairman Neville Nicholson suggested attractions, activities and even campervans should be ranked according to their safety.
Visitors could then be given a flyer reminding them to stay clear of any attraction that did not have a safety stamp.
Mr Nicholson said visitors often dropped their guard because they perceived New Zealand as a safe destination.
"We are absolutely sick and tired of it.
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Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne suggested Rotorua residents continue to recommend places such as Kerosene Creek to visitors but also make sure they told them of the potential risks.
He said some people were afraid to admit crime occurred in certain areas because it could affect the area's image.
"It's no good not advising people about the risks ... it helps to just remind them that it is a place that is sometimes preyed on and if they see anyone dodgy hanging around, they should contact police."
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