A North Dunedin proactive policing team is door-knocking in the student quarter, reminding residents to secure their homes after a spate of burglaries in the area.
Unlocked student flats and houses were an easy target for criminals, Acting Senior Sergeant Dave Scott said.
On Saturday, Dunedin police arrested a 31-year-old Christchurch man in relation to six burglaries in North Dunedin.
Acting Snr Sgt Scott said police received reports from members of the public about a man acting suspiciously. A quantity of property was recovered, he said.
The burglaries had occurred in the past two weeks at properties in Great King, Grange, Castle and Mechanic Sts and Ethel Benjamin Pl.
Students were known to leave "hot commodities", such as laptops and cellphones, in unlocked flats and houses, Acting Snr Sgt Scott said.
"Opportunist criminals are stealing from students because they see them as an easy target.
"There may also be an element of students stealing from other students as well," he said.
The North Dunedin proactive policing team had gone door-to-door in the student quarter earlier this year in response to the problem, and was again actively urging residents to secure their belongings.
Most burglaries in the area occurred during the day.
