Senior Sergeant Malcolm Collins of the Rotorua police said Christmas could be a depressing time of year for police as they heard the heartbreaking stories from people who had lost their hard-earned possessions.
Mr Collins said there were several things people could do to prevent burglaries.
One of the biggest problems was people not locking their doors and windows, he said.
He said residents shouldn't be afraid to call police if they noticed something wasn't right.
"We will drop things and go to that. We would rather find an owner's son who has forgotten to take a key climbing in a window than a person stealing someone's prized possession."
Rotorua woman Aroha Bray knows only too well that thieves are on the prowl. She's recently been burgled not once, but twice - and in just five days.
About $8000 worth of goods were stolen from the two burglaries, which she described as frightening.
"You come home and get a huge fright. It's a huge invasion of your privacy because you have an emotional attachment to your belongings."
The first burglary was on Friday, October 30 at night and the second on Wednesday, November 4 between 8.15am when she left for work and 10am when her partner returned home to meet a plumber.
"The burglars broke window security stays and ripped a screen door to access the property." A security alarm would have prevented the burglaries and she now had one installed. "I am now a lot more conscious of ensuring everything is locked up securely and we set the alarm every time we go out."
Tips to stay burglary-free
* Make sure your house, vehicles, sheds and garages are secured at all times and use effective catches and locks.
* Don't leave a spare door key hidden outside.
* Invest in an alarm and security lighting.
* Mark your property so it can be easily identified if recovered
* Make a list of property and record serial numbers
* Take photos of unique items such as jewellery and ornaments
