Police urge lone office workers to be vigilant

Police have appealed to people working alone in office buildings over the holidays to take extra safety precautions.

Police report a rise in the number of petty thefts and crimes at this time of year, including 'stair dancing' - when someone loiters at a building entrance intending on stealing small items inside.

The issue was recently highlighted when a woman at the Auckland District Law Society disrupted a stair dancer and was assaulted.

Senior Sergeant Willie Taylor said people needed to use commonsense when working alone.

He said workers needed to be aware of people hanging around the building and to lock doors once inside so people could not enter at will.

Traditionally there's a sharp increase in petty crimes over the holiday period, with burglaries a particular concern, he said.

- NEWSTALK ZB