Drinks from a fridge, electronic equipment, a car, even cherry trees have been reported stolen from Dunedin properties this week, prompting Dunedin police to remind residents to keep property locked up.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Ross, of Dunedin, said about a dozen burglaries had been reported in the past two days and many of them might have been prevented by keeping property secured.
''There has definitely been a spike in burglaries,'' he said.
Among the burglaries was a Connell St house which was broken into on Wednesday after the owner went to work and left the toilet and bathroom windows ajar.
Two laptops, a tablet and jewellery were taken, Snr Sgt Ross said.
Residents at a Church St house in Mosgiel reported beer, a tray of soft drinks and two ice creams had been taken from their refrigerator after they left their back door unlocked on Wednesday.
A white 1996 Toyota Corolla, with the registration BQR529, was also reported missing from Turnbull St yesterday.
''All we can do is remind people to keep their property locked up,'' he said.
However, he conceded there were some things which could not be secured - particularly the case of a Strathmore Cres resident, who reported two cherry trees missing after they were pulled out of the ground near the front fence.
