KEY POINTS:
A burglar, finding a Christchurch home so easy to break into, left the owners a note calling them "dumb arse" for not turning their alarm on.
The home in the Christchurch suburb of Avonhead was robbed on Monday and when residents returned home they found the note left by the burglar.
"Put your cat out and turn your alarm on, dumb arse," the note read.
Christchurch police's Inspector Gary Knowles said for once police agreed.
"Please use whatever security you have - and it may be as simple as locking the back door or remembering to activate the alarm when you go out."
Mr Knowles said many people did not use the security they had and it was not just when people were going out they should remember to use it.
"When you are off to bed, or just watching television, remember to lock the back door!
"Take the hint and remember Fred Flintstone and the TVNZ cat; when you've put the cat out, lock the door."
Mr Knowles said while the majority of burglaries occurred during the day there had been a spate of night time burglaries recently in Christchurch while people were at home and the point of entry had been an insecure door or window.
"Recent files read: Entry via unlocked rear door; Entry via unlocked garage window; Entry via lounge window ... the list goes on."
In one case where they couldn't get the television the burglars took the school lunches from the fridge, he said.
About 70 per cent of burglaries took place during the day on weekdays and at night on the weekend with an alarm a deterrent to most burglars - especially when it is used, he said.
"Make things difficult for burglars. They like to make easy money."
- NZPA
