Strangers looking for their lost dog or a mystery friend with a made-up name were common ploys used by criminals when scoping out properties, Mr Burr said.
"Generally, people are pretty good at picking out suspicious behaviour, but it's the next thing that we want to encourage people to do and that's to ring us," he said.
There were 72 burglaries reported in Wairarapa in October, compared to 40 for the same time last year. More than 57,000 burglaries were reported nationwide in the past financial year, of which fewer than 9000 were resolved.
National prevention manager Superintendent Bruce Bird said pre-holiday was timely for people to protect property.
"Keeping your home and your possessions safe can make all the difference between being a victim of a burglary or not."
Mr Bird said burglars were opportunistic and saw an unsecured window or gate as a chance to commit a burglary, but were put off by houses which seem lived in.
For those heading away, getting a neighbour or a friend to turn a light on at night and clear the letterbox would help make the home look lived in.
"If a burglar thinks you're at home, they are less likely to attempt a break-in."
Getting to know your neighbours better, installing a burglar alarm and even placing a "Beware of the dog" sign could also deter burglars.
Don't leave keys hidden in the garden either.
Recording the serial numbers of expensive items on the police community partnership website Operation SNAP also discouraged criminals and meant a better chance of catching criminals if they handled or onsold identifiable goods.
University of Canterbury criminologist Professor Greg Newbold said there was always a rise in property crime in holiday areas such as motor camps, where expensive equipment such as boats, dive gear and fishing gear was left lying around tent sites. APNZ
