Police are urging people to lock sheds, garages and vehicles in Otago to deter thieves.
Acting Senior Sergeant Phill Hamlin, of Dunedin, said valuable items should be removed from vehicles and outbuildings should be locked.
A "trend'' of thefts from vehicles and outbuidings had developed, he said.
The thefts included a chainsaw and pruning saw stolen from a garage in Hillend in Clutha, petrol stolen from a farm shed in Oamaru, sunglasses and an iPod stolen from a vehicle parked in Scroggs Hill Rd in Dunedin and a car stereo and speakers stolen from a car on the corner of Bayview Rd and Begg St in South Dunedin.
The stolen items were ``easily sold on the black market'', Acting Snr Sgt Hamlin said.
