Watch out for groups of women if you're out shopping on Boxing Day - Hawke's Bay police say they're the most likely to be shoplifters.
Shoplifting incidents in the region remain high, but police say there hasn't been a noticeable increase on recent festive seasons.
Hawke's Bay police prevention manager Martin James said shoplifting incidents had a "huge" impact on businesses.
He said during the holiday period it paid to watch out for particular groups of people.
"Shoplifters are often females who work in groups," James said.