By Finn Blackwell of RNZ

Thieves have stolen $75,000 worth of road safety fences from a suburb on Auckland’s North Shore.

More than 60 panels have been stolen from on top of a newly built retaining wall in Albany, between Silver Moon Road and Gills Rd.

Around 50 fence panels were stolen at the end of last year and more were taken last week, said Auckland Transport.

“The large black metal pool-like fencing panels would require at least two people to dismantle, and their removal would have required a vehicle and taken a fair amount of time,” it said in a statement.

AT said 10 panels were also stolen from a recently repaired site on Glenvar Rd in early November.

A total of 76 panels have been stolen from around the North Shore, costing about $75,000.

Upper Harbour local board deputy chairperson Uzra Casuri Balouch said the panels were there for pedestrian safety.

Panels have been stolen from a newly built retaining wall in Albany. Photo / Supplied via RNZ

“The appalling theft of these panels has put the public’s safety at risk, as these fences were protecting pedestrians from the drop-off of a steep embankment,” she said in a statement.

“We’re disgusted by the actions of these thieves, and all the thefts have been reported to the New Zealand police, and the incidents are currently being investigated.”

Police said they were not immediately aware of reports of stolen fencing but were looking into reports referenced by Auckland Transport.