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Traffic cones - Source: ONE News
A Facebook campaign encouraging people to steal orange road cones has caught the attention of police.
Before it was taken down from the social networking site, a page encouraging people to take part in a "national steal a road cone day" tomorrow had more than 7000 followers.
Inspector Mark Stables from the Road Policing Group said he is concerned the campaign could create safety issues.
"It's really important that the cones and traffic signs work to get the people round the work sites safely. But when people go round and steal cones, it compromises that severely," he said.
Thousands confirmed they would "attend" the event, before the page was taken down.
But Superintendent Kelvin Powell is warning anybody found in unlawful possession of a road cone will be charged. The cones cost around $70 each.
"This is an act of theft and could also result in a serious accident causing death or injury," he said.
He said the cones are there for safety reasons, and acts endangering safety could even incur a prison term. Anyone caught stealing a road cone could be fined up to $2000.
"This is a stupid prank and we would ask anyone who is thinking of stealing a cone to think again," Powell said.