Burglars getting more daring - AA

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Burglary claims have gone up 20 per cent in the past year and thieves are getting more brazen in their methods, an insurance company says.

Despite the jump in burglaries and thefts from cars, AA Insurance says some people aren't doing themselves any favours.

Its AA Drivers Index found that 15 per cent of people regularly left their car unlocked. More than a quarter of those left their cars unsecured outside their own homes.

It said more than half (56 per cent) of all vehicle break-ins happened in people's driveways, carports or garages, or in a nearby street.

AA Insurance's head of corporate affairs, Suzanne Wolton, urged caution over the Christmas period, saying thieves had become more brazen and would "steal from under your nose".

She said there had been reports of groceries and shopping being stolen from people's cars - while they were inside their homes unloading their purchases.

"At this time of year, Christmas foods and gifts are very tempting to thieves who are looking for an easy opportunity," said Ms Wolton.

"The holidays also bring more time spent outdoors socialising and leaving windows and doors open in the heat, so it's important to be safety conscious about your house."

Insurance Council chief executive Chris Ryan said the cost of burglaries from homes and cars was about $25 million a month to the insurance industry in claims. He said the Christmas and New Year period saw a spike in burglary claims.

Mr Ryan said homeowners tended to assume that while they were in their homes burglars would not steal from them.

He said burglars often monitored their targets' daytime behaviour and movements before striking.

"They will go into your house if they see an opportunity," he said.

"You shouldn't assume that because you're on the property and it's a sunny day that your house is not going to be looked at from the street because it will be."

The AA data said Hamilton had the highest incidence for home burglaries and vehicle break-ins ahead of central Auckland although this was challenged by Waikato police communications manager Andrew McAlley, who said there had been a 38 per cent reduction in reported residential burglaries in Hamilton in the past six months.

National burglary figures from police showed there had been a slight decrease from 2008/2009 to this year in recorded burglaries from 60,666 to 60,142 although police spokesman Jon Neilson was not surprised by the increase for AA clients.

"Studies have shown that in times of economic hardship there is often a rise in crimes such as theft and burglary," said Mr Neilson.

Scott Carter, who runs the Matrix Security Group, said Christmas created unique pressures for people, leading them to lose their normal security awareness.

"People are trying to bring in more money to pay for gifts and celebrations at the same time they are distracted with Christmas shopping, they're frantic at work, they've got end-of-year functions so they get a bit frazzled," he said. "All the while these offenders are thinking about opportunities and act quickly when they see them."

Mr Carter said people should put valuables out of sight in their locked cars. If going away on holiday, homeowners need to avoid any signs that their house isn't occupied.

AA figures and police stats:

56% of vehicle break-ins happen in owners' driveways or nearby streets.

15% of people regularly leave their car unlocked.

60,666 reported burglaries 2008-2009.

60,142 reported burglaries 2009-2010.

41,984 thefts ex-car 2008-2009.

41,002 thefts ex-car 2009-2010.