'Spike' in thefts

Oamaru residents and visitors are being urged to ensure they lock their cars and homes and keep valuables out of sight as the North Otago town experiences an unusual "spike" in thefts from properties and cars.

Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy, of Oamaru, said  there had been six burglaries, four thefts from vehicles and three cars had been unlawfully taken  in Oamaru in the past 12 days.

The majority of the crime was centred around South Hill and central Oamaru.

"This is unusual to have these specific areas. It’s not normal for Oamaru. It’s quite a spike."

The public needed to take basic prevention steps such as locking their doors and removing valuable items such as wallets, phones and tools from sight.

Even loose change left on a car seat was enough to trigger an opportunistic thief, he said.

"If they see it, they’ll take it."