For years people have parked vehicles (including cars, boats and caravans, among others) they wished to sell privately at the end of a sealed driveway near the Awamoa scout group den at the park that borders State Highway 1.
On Thursday morning, 19 vehicles were parked there.
While break-ins and at times thefts are not uncommon, few incidents are reported to police.
However, at least three vehicles have been tampered with in the last two weeks that police are aware of.
In the early hours of August 12, a vehicle and a yacht were broken into.
More recently all four rims and tyres were stolen from a late-model Subaru, a crime discovered by police patrolling in the area on Monday morning.
Sergeant Blair Wilkinson, of Oamaru, said people needed to ensure their vehicles were locked at all times and if possible, leave vehicles at the park only during the day.
Vehicles parked there overnight were left at the owner’s risk, he said.
"Police would suggest if people are using this location to advertise their vehicle for sale, moving them from there overnight would be wise, because we get quite a few cars interfered with up there.
"We hear of a few that are not reported, as well, so it’s not uncommon for that to occur there."
