Crafty burglars tailgate residents

In some cases, outsiders have parked outside waiting for a car to come and then followed closely behind. Photo / Thinkstock

Police are warning people to beware of "tailgaters" - would-be criminals following people into apartment buildings and carparks.

Police say there have been a number of incidents where criminals have sneaked into buildings by following residents who have swiped an access card to get inside.

In some cases, outsiders have parked outside waiting for a car to come and then followed closely behind.

Inspector Mike McIlraith, the tactical response manager for Auckland central police, said apartment occupants needed to be watching for people or cars following them into their building or enclosed carpark.

"When [residents] swipe to access their building, they should make sure that the door closes behind them. If someone they don't recognise follows behind, they need to challenge them."

A lot of the time it was a case of someone forgetting their access card and asking a neighbour to let them in, Mr McIlraith said. But there were a high number of would-be criminals pretending to be residents just to gain access to the building.

"It's access gained without having forced entry. Once inside, they are free to roam the place. The ownership of the problem really comes down to the residents and how they look at security."

The manager of one of Auckland's biggest apartment buildings said tailgating was widespread.

"They'll park outside and they'll watch different locations to see whether there's a beam that activates the doors to get in or whether you have to have a swipe card," the man said.

"They'll wait and see if it's an electronic door or an electronic barrier and then they'll try and drive through, behind cars.

"You'll find a lot of [apartment buildings] have put short time-phases on their doors, so they'll come down quick after someone's gone through - for that reason."

The man said that on one occasion he knew of, three men in a car followed a vehicle into a carpark, waited until there no one was around, smashed the window of a new BMW and stole a radar detector.

"Others come in and smash windows and pinch PCs and things off seats ... [Apartment occupants] will leave portable telephones in between the gear lever, nice jackets, clothes, shoes, handbags, sunglasses - they'll smash for sunglasses."

In another incident, a man dressed in a fluorescent vest turned up at a building and took off with stainless-steel piping worth hundreds of dollars.

"They'll dress up as cleaners or workmen - nobody will question someone in a bright orange vest."

Police in other parts of the country, including Hamilton and Wellington, say they have not faced such problems but are now alert to the issue.