Police are keeping an open mind on a rash of star stickers randomly plastered on letterboxes inland from Hokitika in the past few days.
Acting senior sergeant Paul Watson, of Greymouth police, said there may be an innocent or a more sinister explanation.
A resident of Woodstock-Rimu Road alerted police after stars had been stuck on their letterbox and others in the area.
Police were interested to hear of any unusual activity in the Woodstock-Rimu area which might explain who was responsible for the stickers, he said.
An incident in Canterbury where stickers had been placed on letterboxes to identify dogs on properties, and the animals were subsequently stolen, might be one explanation, but it could also be entirely innocent, Mr Watson said.
Alternatively, it could have simply been a child walking around and "being creative".
"There is some concern. It sounds similar to an incident in Christchurch where addresses with dogs were being targeted and stolen to be put into dog fights. I am mindful it could be a child. It may be innocent, there may be something in it."
Mr Watson said police did not want to unduly alarm residents in the area but were keen to hear reports of those placing the stickers.
Information can be passed on to the Hokitika police or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
- by Brendon McMahon
