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Police are today continuing the search and examination of what they believe to be the main campsite of Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his three children in recent months.
The area is difficult to access, well-hidden and highlights the challenging environment the family used as their base, police say.
Police have released new images from this wider site – approximately 200 metres away, across some difficult terrain from where the younger children were found on Monday this week.
Detective senior sergeant Andrew Saunders says police staff are working in steep and uneven terrain to document evidence from the scene.
“It’s a very grim, dimly-lit area, surrounded by dense bush. The tent was well covered and dry.
“We are currently looking at a number of items at the site. Aside from the burglaries we are now able to link to Tom, it is apparent that he had outside help.”
The police vehicles and the quad bike from the scene of Monday’s shooting were removed from Te Anga Road last night, September 9.
Police expect to continue their examination of the area today and tomorrow.
The officer injured on Monday continues to recover in Waikato Hospital and is being supported by the police whanau.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank all our staff involved in Operation Curly at different times over the past four years, in particular our core investigation team,” Saunders says.
“It has been a challenging operation, but I am relieved and delighted that we have been able to return the children to safety.
“Operation Curly was an operation focused on locating Tom and the safe return of the children.
“As the police work enters a new phase, our Operation Curly naturally comes to a conclusion.
“While no one wanted it to end in these circumstances, it is highly satisfying as an investigator that the children have been safely returned.
“We wish to thank the public for the ongoing support of police, and in particular for the kindness and care people have shown in respecting the children’s privacy.”
