Significant damage has been done to a cellular tower in rural Otago, police say.
Police were called to the scene at about 10.50am with reports of the damage, located on State Highway 8 at Lindis Pass-Tarra Rd, between Forest Range Station and Goodger Rd
Detective Phil Hamlin said the tower provided cellular service for residents and travellers in the area.
“Cellular service is especially critical in this rural and alpine area.
“Rural areas tend to rely on fewer cell towers to cover larger areas, and damage to these towers can cause significant reduction or complete loss of cell service in the area.”
Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen suspicious activity at or near the tower to get in touch.
Anyone who has travelled along the Lindis Pass-Tarras Rd between 7am and 1pm on July 6, and has dashcam footage, was also urged to get in touch.
Other information that may assist inquiries could be provided by calling 105 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
