Theft from cars on the rise

LOCK IT OR LOSE IT: Police are urging drivers to think about car security. PHOTO/FILE

With car break-ins on the rise in Wairarapa, police are urging drivers to take vehicle security seriously.

Thefts from cars in 2015 have risen 43 per cent on the same period last year, and police are encouraging drivers to think twice about leaving cars unlocked or leaving valuables in the car.

There were 79 reported thefts from cars between January and July and Senior Sergeant Gordon Crawley said while the numbers were not huge, it represented a significant increase.

"We are concerned. While we are only talking about 25 [more], a 43 per cent increase is significant ... it's more victims, it's less people who feel safe because they are being victimised."

The majority of thefts from cars had occurred in residential areas, with 41 per cent in residential streets and 21 per cent from public places such as car parks.

Worst hit areas were the CBD, Kuripuni, the area near Queen Elizabeth Park and the Renall and Cornwall St area where commuters parked.

About 60 per cent of all theft from cars occurred in Masterton, which has about 16,600 registered vehicles.

Thieves were targeting small, desirable, easily concealed items like iPods and iPads.

Mr Crawley said it was unclear what had caused the increase, but it might be due to drivers being complacent.

"Maybe there's an opportunity for easy targets."

The increase was a district-wide trend with Wellington also reporting more thefts from cars, Mr Crawley said.

"It's not just little old Masterton."

People needed to make sure they locked their vehicles, did not leave things in their cars and thought about where they parked.

"Why park in a dark area when you could park 300m down the road under a light - it may not stop them but it does make it harder."

People needed to be vigilant about reporting anything suspicious.

"People may not think it's important but it may actually lead to us catching up with people who are doing this."

"We do need people to report in and if they have something taken then they do need to tell us because it does all paint a picture."

Police would be working with partners such as Neighbourhood Support to raise public awareness, Mr Crawley said.

"[We] will probably end up doing pamphlet drops around carparks and obviously increasing our patrols for areas that are high risk - but ultimately, we can't solve this problem alone."