My Account
Police are urging Hibiscus Coast residents to be extra vigilant as lockdown restrictions continue, with opportunist thieves targeting parcel deliveries and vehicles in particular.
Waitemata North response manager Senior Sgt Brett Henshaw says after an initial dip, thefts from driveways and parked cars have increased recently.
“Initially with Covid-19 lockdown levels imposed, we saw a large drop-off in property related crime, but of late it has been creeping up again,” he says.
“We are still seeing vehicle crime on the Coast, with opportunists either breaking into cars or opening unlocked cars, and courier parcel thefts still remain an issue, which we know is extremely frustrating for our community.”
The parcel thieves follow courier vehicles and steal any packages left unattended outside homes, so Sgt Henshaw says householders should take as many steps as they can to make that impossible.
“If you can, get parcels delivered to your workplace. If you are not going to be home, then make sure it is sign-only, or get the courier to leave a card, so you can have it delivered on another day when you will be home,” he advises. “If these options aren’t available, then try to at least get it left somewhere that isn’t obvious.”
Vehicle owners should always make sure cars are locked with no valuables left inside, he adds.
“Thieves will enter onto private property to steal from vehicles, often up long driveways.”
However, there are fewer perpetrators on the prowl than before, after three separate offenders were caught and charged recently.
“They were swiftly identified with some good old-fashioned policing and assistance from the public,” Sgt Henshaw says. “All three are now before the courts on a variety of burglary and car crime charges – 31 in total.”
He urges everyone to keep an eye out for any suspicious people or activity in the community and to report anything immediately by calling Police on 111.
