A sudden spike in thefts from cars has Masterton police urging people to lock their vehicles, even if parked on their own properties.
Wairarapa youth and community services area manager Sergeant Ian Osland said there had been a rise in the number of cars being broken into, with vehicles parked up driveways and in garages also being targeted. Some of them had been left unlocked with wallets, tools, cash and other personal items still in them.
Just because your car was parked on your property did not mean it was safe from thieves, Mr Osland said.
"Please lock, lock," he said. "We can't stress enough how important it is to lock your vehicle or your house, either if you are away from home or going to bed. Even if you're just out the back of the house, make sure the front of the house is locked or vice versa."
Mr Osland estimated more than half of the recently reported thefts from cars and houses could have been avoided if people locked their cars, removed valuables from sight, or put property away in a locked shed or garage.
