15 Aug 2012

Thousands elude arrest warrants

12:35 pm on 15 August 2012

More than 17,500 people wanted for a serious crime continue to elude police.

According to figures obtained by Radio New Zealand, 15 of them, including six in Auckland, are accused or suspected of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter or killing someone through driving.

The arrest warrants date back to 2004, and total 17,655.

Of these, 1400 people are wanted by the police for acts intended to cause injury, more than 150 for sexual offences and more than 2500 for theft.

The Auckland police district has the highest number of outstanding arrest warrants, with more than 5000, followed by Waitemata, Wellington and Manukau.

The Ministry of Justice says some people aren't caught because they've gone overseas, are using a false identity or have moved to another part of the country.