Burglars target Cup fans

Auckland police say several properties were targeted by burglars during the Rugby World Cup final. File photo / NZ Herald

While Ross Jamieson was watching the All Blacks play their way to World Cup victory against France, burglars were breaking into his house.

The 35-year-old said he felt "violated" after learning his home had been broken into and a 42 inch tv, PlayStation and games valued at up to up to $2500 taken.

It is the third time the fitter and turner has faced bad luck in only a few weeks, after he was made redundant two weeks ago, and was in a motorbike accident before that, which left him with a cracked rib and concussion.

"The last month hasn't been too great," he said.

Police crime statistics show in the year ending in June this year 6507 Auckland homes were burgled - up from 6427 the previous year.

Mr Jamieson left his Buisson Glade home in West Harbour at about 4pm on the day of the final to meet a group of friends in the central city to watch the game.

Not usually a rugby fan, he said he'd got caught up in the Cup during the event and decided to go out to watch the final only at the last minute.

When he arrived home at 1am he went straight to bed without turning on the lights so didn't realise his house had been broken into.

It wasn't until he got up the next morning and saw the ranch-slider and windows were open and noticed the missing items, that he realised he had been burgled.

"My guts dropped. It was just oh my god. It ruined the (rugby) buzz a bit, that's for sure."

He believed the burglars deliberately targeted the house on the night of the final, when people were likely to be watching the game away from home and there was extra noise around the city.

"If the neighbours had the TV turned up they'd be yelling and screaming."

There were dents on a high window at the front of the house that was on a locked latch. It had been forced open, but because the burglars had used gloves, police were unable to find fingerprints, he said.

"They (burglars) would have had to have two people to boost each other up - it's the highest window in the house."

When he contacted the police they said there had been several break-ins during the Rugby World Cup, said Mr Jamieson.

In Onehunga, a commercial property was targeted during the semi-final between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

Five minutes into the match the property was broken into and a number of items were stolen in the "significant theft", said Garrison Security owner Ray Sadler.

"We suspect it was targeted because it was just after kick-off," he said.

The company has been busy installing homes security systems, which was typical for this time of year, said Mr Sadler.

To improve security, residents should install an alarm system and avoid leaving items lying around the house that could give easy access to windows, said Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty.

Other police safety tips include, having security fittings on windows, avoid leaving door keys under a flowerpot, mat or other obvious places, lock doors and windows at all times and install sensor lights to deter burglars.