Fake ID cards lead to forgery arrest

A North Canterbury youth will appear in the district court tomorrow on a charge of forging identity documents.

Police executed a search warrant at a North Canterbury address on Friday evening in response to a fake identity card being used to get into city bars.

A 17-year old male student was arrested and charged with making a false document and intending to use it for pecuniary advantage.

Constable Hamish Fair says the arrest came after police last week spoke to another 17-year-old who had tried to use a fake ID card to get into a bar.

"As a result it became clear that that someone was manufacturing and selling the cards," he says. "We believe there are still a number of the fake ID cards in circulation.

"Anybody using a fake ID commits an offence and may be arrested.

"We advise anybody who has one of these fake cards that now is a good time to hand it in to police. If anyone hands in a fake card voluntarily they will not face charges.

"We will be contacting those we believe have purchased these cards, if they don't hand them in," says Constable Fair.

Forgery carries a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.