The number of burglaries reported in the area, particularly around Fernbrook and Redcastle Rds and surrounding streets, has spiked over the past four to six weeks. At least 10 have been reported to police.
Most of the burglaries have been committed during the day, and cash has been stolen.
Police have increased their presence in the area, in the form of regular patrols, and officers have also been door-knocking to offer advice and hand out information.
Included was a questionnaire on how secure a property's doors and windows were, what the environment around the property was like, safe security practices and recommended security measures while on
holiday.
Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy, of Oamaru, said police often spread crime prevention messages through media platforms such as print and radio, but had gone one step further by visiting residents directly in an effort to prevent burglaries.
"The questionnaire is quite an interesting thing when you go through it. Certainly, my experience is that people in Oamaru are trusting and just the basics of locking your house when you leave to go out is sometimes not done, or locking your vehicle or not taking keys out of the ignition. Doing things like that can reduce the number of crimes that are reported."
He said the number of burglaries being reported concerned police, who were focused on preventing them and supporting victims.
"Burglary is an offence where victims feel violated. Their personal property has been gone through and it impacts on our community greatly."
Police believed the burglaries were linked.
"Certainly the burglaries seem to be targeting cash at the moment and just the way they are occurring would give us the indication it's the same person or people. It's a priority for us at the moment."
Anyone who had seen suspicious behaviour was asked to contact police directly or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
