Central Auckland has biggest number of burglary claims

An insurer says central Auckland has more burglary claims than any other region and most break-ins are during the day rather than when people are on holiday.

The figures from AA Insurance are a snapshot of nationwide home burglary claims the company handled in the year to the end of July. They show there was a national average of 51 home burglary claims per region to the company.

Central Auckland had triple that number of claims - 170. South Auckland had 85 per cent more than the average, and West Auckland had 22 per cent more.

The only part of Auckland with fewer claims than the national average was the North Shore - 60 per cent below.

Hamilton had the most claims last year, AA said, but the number had dropped this year. However, claims in the city were still 59 per cent above the national average.

Claims in Christchurch were 21 per cent above the national average.

Wellington, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, West Coast Marlborough, Southland, Otago and the wider Canterbury regions all had fewer claims than the national average.

Police figures show that 52,247 burglaries were reported last year, down from 59,518 in 2011.

AA Insurance also released the results of a home security survey which revealed most burglaries took place while people were away from their homes during the day.

The online survey of 1000 New Zealanders showed 71 per cent of burglaries happened then rather than while occupants were away on holiday, which accounted for 17 per cent of burglaries.

Worryingly, the survey revealed that 12 per cent of respondents were at home when the break-in happened.

AA Insurance customer relations manager Amelia Macandrew said most people assumed they were most exposed to burglary when they left home to go on holiday, but this was not always the case.

"We all know to be careful, lock everything, cancel the newspaper, have the neighbours collect the mail and so on.

"But when we're just going to work or to the shops, we are much more complacent, and burglars know to take advantage of any opportunity."

Ms Macandrew said burglars were opportunistic and tended to go for the easiest target. "It pays to be prepared and make sure your home isn't easy to access."