Five thefts an hour from cars, and you asked for it

A <i>Herald</i> survey in Albany found people are often careless about leaving valuables in their cars in full view of thieves. Photo / Dean Purcell

Auckland drivers are sending open invites to thieves who are stealing thousands of dollars worth of property from cars every night, police say.

Statistics show that stealing from cars is the most commonly reported type of theft.

There were 43,015 reports of the crime in New Zealand last year - a rate of almost five an hour.

An unscientific Weekend Herald survey shows that Auckland motorists are leaving valuable items in plain view of thieves.

Of 300 vehicles inspected at Albany, 31 had items that could attract thieves, including handbags, digital music recorders and bags of clothes. Most of the items were in the driver's console area or on the passenger's floormats.

Inspector Mike McIlraith, tactical response manager for the Auckland City CBD police, said yesterday that the crime had risen over the past few weeks.

"We're doing some work around it but the public can help themselves - and us - by not leaving property in their vehicle or, if they have to, putting it out of sight.

"This issue is a regional problem [and] it's a national problem and people can assist themselves."

Four vehicles broken into in the central city on Thursday night were a classic example of what police typically dealt with, Mr McIlraith said.

"The first vehicle had a laptop and passport stolen. The second vehicle had a laptop, mobile phone, bank cards and other personal items taken, the third one a GPS unit and, in the fourth one, there was nothing taken.

"That, as a snapshot over the last 24 hours, gives you an indication of what's being targeted. People should be able to leave things in their cars ... But the reality is that, unfortunately, there are members of the community who will take advantage of that."

Mr McIlraith said police did not know why thefts from cars occurred more in Auckland City - where 8565 were reported last year - than in the Counties-Manukau (5745) or Waitemata (4231) police districts.

"There are more cars here than elsewhere, in a smaller concentration. That could be a part of it, but I can't base that on any analysis we have done."

THEFTS FROM VEHICLES 2009
* Auckland City 8565.
* Counties-Manukau 5745.
* Waitemata 4231.
* Total NZ 43,015.

WHAT WE SAW INSIDE CARS
* 10 x handbags.
* 8 x bags and backpacks.
* 3 x iPod/MP3 music players.
* 3 x gym bags.
* 3 x briefcases.
* 2 x cellphones.
* 2 x wallets.

- Additional reporting by Emma Whittaker and Susannah Goodman