Alert after spate of car break-ins

Photo / Lynda Feringa

Police are urging people to be vigilant following a spate of vehicle break-ins.

Thieves zeroed in on the Hastings suburb of Raureka, with 10 cars targeted in the early evening, most of them parked on residential driveways.

Almost all had broken windows, with stolen items ranging from cellphones to clothing and a backpack.

"Occasionally we have spates, it's pretty random. It happens every now and then for no particular reason," a police spokeswoman said.

Senior Sergeant Nick Dobson said they were following positive lines of inquiry.

A 30-year-old man had been arrested and charged with a number of offences.

Two juveniles were apprehended for similar crimes, allegedly committed at an earlier date, and were currently working with Youth Aid.

The message police hoped to send was one of prevention, as damage could be costly.

"At this time, regardless, people need to be vigilant with their motor vehicles, that includes when they are in a driveway. They need to be secure," Mr Dobson said.

Making sure doors are locked at all times and items of interest, including cellphones, laptops, iPads, iPods, even parking meter money, were tucked away out of sight, reduced the risk.

"Don't leave anything in there for people to steal. I mean things on the seats and also any money in view, even if it's only a few coins, wallets, phones, things in the middle console. If you have nothing to lose, you will break a window for a dollar."

The same guidelines were applicable in daylight hours, when cars might be left unattended for long periods of time.

"Parking lots are classic. During the day, we tell our city hosts and patrols to keep an eye out for people trying to get into cars."

Mr Dobson said members of public should always err on the side of caution and call 111 if suspicious. It was also important to report unusual findings, such as items left on the footpath or in a garden.