Lucky Dip on wheels

Many car owners at this time of year are virtually issuing invitations to criminals at this time of year by leaving their parked vehicles with easy pickings.
"Theft ex car", as police call it, is a year-round problem but it becomes particularly troublesome this time of year as people carry more goods and more cash.
The Wairarapa Times-Age carried out a snap survey in a popular Masterton car park (we won't name it for obvious reasons) and found that over half of the vehicles contained valuables that could easily be seen through the windows.
The survey revealed most car owners are not taking precautions to prevent theft from their cars.
Examples of valuable goods easily identifiable were portable CD players, a computer laptop in a satchel, Christmas gifts in a bag, handbags, new electronic equipment still in its box, cash, power tools and tool belt, and a camera that someone had tried to hide under a mat.
Despite the fact that a reporter and a photographer openly strolled about the public car park checking out the interiors of vehicles, noone challenged them at any point.
Had they been intent on criminal activity, it would have been relatively easy and safe for them to clean out any number of vehicles.
Senior Sergeant Warwick Burr says the public can take an active role in preventing car break-ins by removing temptation from would-be thieves.
"If the public were more careful about what they keep in their cars, it would greatly reduce the number of crimes that we have to deal with," he said.
Although theft from vehicles is sometimes regarded as an opportunist crime, police say groups will target areas with intention to rip off cars. Places such as railway stations are often hit because the owners of the vehicles tend to be away for regular extended periods.
"Theft from cars is the same as any crime. The more you can do to protect yourself from it, the less likely you are to be a victim," said Mr Burr.
Police say thieves will break into cars for even small amounts of money or objects of little value, so it helps if people don't provide the temptation.
Audio equipment is a popular target, though many models have modifications that make it difficult to steal. Stereo faceplates can be removed or disconnected, or the stereo can be removed entirely.
Mr Burr said the criminals that perpetrate this type of crime tend to be in a younger age bracket, and therefore school holidays can mean more young people around and consequently more youth crime.
Mr Burr said the crime statistics show that the long-term rate of dishonesty crimes has dropped and the clearance rate for these types of crimes was "reasonably good" compared to nationwide figures.
He said car thefts were worse in popular tourist areas.
Mr Burr said it is important that victims of theft from cars should always report it, as they are often linked and police can establish trends.
"It tends to go in cycles like a lot of crime. We need it to be reported so we can know when groups are active," he said.
Theft carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.