The police have given out their top tips for preventing car theft. Photo / File
Rotorua residents are being urged to secure their vehicles after a spike in car thefts by young joyriders.
Rotorua district prevention manager Inspector Brendon Keenan said there had been an increase in the number of vehicles stolen in Rotorua during the past three months.
"Often these can be coded as
burglaries because the vehicles are stolen from driveways," he said.
"The vehicles are generally being taken by youth offenders who are taking the vehicles for a joy-ride and then dumping them."
Keenan said Rotorua police had increased prevention activities with awareness flyers being delivered in the community, increased patrols and increased engagement with known offenders in response to this offending.
