Property ads attracting thieves, police warn

Police are warning home owners and real estate agents that property advertisements could be attracting thieves as well as potential buyers.

Police have warned home owners and real estate agents their property advertisements could be attracting burglars as well as potential buyers.

Hamilton Police issued the warning after a man admitted burgling four houses after seeing pictures of the electronic equipment they contained.

The man - originally arrested for car theft - said he studied billboards and websites that advertised homes for sale or flatmates wanted.

Police said last week a number of plasma screens and LCD televisions were stolen from Hamilton homes.

"Of these, several were from homes for sale with photos of their lounges displayed on billboards outside" police said.

Earlier this week police also asked vendors and real estate agents to be aware of people's movements at open homes.

There have been instances of people unlocking doors or windows so they can come back later uninvited.