Shipping containers equipped with refrigeration apparatus have become a target for grinder-wielding thieves in the Onekawa industrial area in recent weeks.
The freezing units and containers contain alloy and copper tubing and in the wake of two such incidents where copper was targeted, as well as other general container break-ins, police have urged those with containers on their sites to either invest in specialist "lock boxes" or position the containers so the access doors cannot be opened.
Napier police constable Mike Burne said if people had the means to carry out the shift they should consider it as it was totally effective in keeping long-stored items safe.
"Position the container so the doors are hard against a wall or end to end with another container," he said.
"You will need a forklift and it would be the better option if you have property stored long-term or that you do not need everyday access to."