Police are calling on Christmas shoppers to use common sense to prevent themselves becoming the victims of burglary this festive season.
Officers had noticed a lot of cars with Christmas shopping in the back seat while the owners were out and about in Dunedin, Senior Sergeant Phill Hamlin said.
"It’s just free advertising for people to know there’s goods in the car," he said.
While most people would assume their purchases were safe in their back seat, to burglars it was another opportunity to create another victim.
"Put anything of value out of sight and take your shopping home or keep it with you," Snr Sgt Hamlin said.
At this time of year, a burglar walking down the street with handfuls of shopping bags would not raise any suspicions, he said.
After Christmas, people should also ensure packaging from presents was disposed of in rubbish bags or in recycling bins and not left lying around.
