Take steps to protect your valuables

There have been far too many reports lately where items have been stolen from houses and cars, and it was preventable. Over the past few weeks, a number of streets in the Western Bay have been targeted by thieves.

A property crime report from Community Constable Timo Gardiner included the following items: Harbour View Road; attempted entry to roller shutter door and cladding. Green trailer registration 573PC stolen from address on Vivian Drive. Harbour View Road; garage entered by unknown person, miscellaneous cards taken from a wallet. Ōmokoroa Road; intimidation of construction worker by a couple of youths wearing bandanas, most likely the same youths who have been causing issues the past few months.

While you might be comfortable in your home, feet up, watching Netflix, opportunistic thieves are capitalising on your distraction. They're stealing your bike from the garage you forgot to lock, smashing your car window to grab the gym bag you left sitting on the back seat or worse, the wallet you left in the centre console.

We're noticing an increase in thefts from cars parked on the street, in front of garages or alongside the house. The message is simple; lock it or lose it!

There are some basic steps people can take to protect their property.

Keep valuables out of sight in your home or car. If it can be seen, it can become a target. Ideally keep all vehicles garaged or out of sight if this is possible.

Lock your car. It’s surprising how many thefts are reported to police where the car hasn’t been secured overnight. It only takes a thief a few seconds to get into an unlocked car and rummage around.