Tradies, new homes, targeted in $100k spate of thefts

Senior Sergeant Phil Gillbanks. Photo/file

Tools and equipment worth $100,000 have been stolen in a spate of thefts targeting tradespeople and new homes in Papamoa, and police are warning residents to heed caution.

Papamoa police have warned residents to beware of suspicious behaviour following a series of early morning thefts and home appliances including dishwashers and washing machines being stolen from newly built homes.

Senior Sergeant Phil Gillbanks told the Bay of Plenty Times the trend was a major worry.

''It's really concerning, on a two-fold level,'' he said.

''It's concerning for the poor victim but also from a preventative side of things. We as a society can be quite complacent.''

Tradesmen almost in tears were coming to the station reporting thefts of up to 20 years worth accumulated tools, struggling to explain to their clients why they can't do the job and to insurance companies exactly what they had and the value of them, he said.

Thieves were also making off with home appliances from newly built homes which had been delivered but not yet installed.

''I believe that our crime is treating tradespeople and their sites as a soft target,'' Mr Gillbanks said.

Mr Gillbanks said he believed the thefts were linked with organised crime.

Policing coverage in the Papamoa and Te Puke area would be boosted with extra staff to boost 24-hour coverage in the booming area, Mr Gillbanks said.

However, police were keen to hear reports of any suspicious activity including cars appearing to scope out would-be targets or noises of tools being stolen in the early hours of the morning.

People are asked to contact police immediately if they have any concerns.