Warning: thieves about
THIEVES are striking close to home with burglaries reported throughout our patch.
Burglars have been active on Woodlands Rd (1), Tauhei Rd (1), Thomas Rd (1), Piako Rd (1) and Holland Rd (5), according to police statistics for March and April for the Hamilton North and Te Rapa/Pukete areas.
Hamilton Tactical Coordinator Senior Sergeant Freda Grace said there were 99 burglaries reported in the Waikato between ANZAC Day and 6am Monday morning with 78 reported in the city.
“One of the most frustrating things about the whole situation is that the week before the school holidays began we warned residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour but despite this, a lot of the homes broken into had been left with doors and windows unsecured.
“It’s not as if people can say they didn’t know as the issue was highlighted in the media, in particular a 13-year-old boy being caught after breaking into two homes and leaving his cell phone behind…”
Police were disappointed how some residents treated home security as Hamilton experienced a spike in residential burglaries over the April school holidays.
“Disturbingly 10 North Hamilton homes were burgled over the period between Anzac Day and Monday morning yet when our staff carried out presence patrolling in the area between 7-9pm they came across nine homes where garage doors were left open while there were no lights on inside.”
Curtains were let drawn and in some cases burglar alarms not activated, or doors and windows locked.
“Then we found cases where spare keys to vehicles still in the garage were left hanging on the hook in unsecured homes. This means not only can burglars waltz into your home, they can drive away with your goods in your car.”
Ms Grace said it wasn’t just people leaving their homes unsecured that was frustrating Police but people not recording the details of valuables in case they are stolen.
“On Monday Police armed with a warrant searched a Mickleson Pl home in relation to the burglaries in North Hamilton. One of the items recovered was a laptop computer that the occupants couldn’t account for. Because the owner had no proof of ownership such as a SNAP record, the goods will have to be returned to the person who had it in their possession at the time.
“Take the time to record the details of your property, consider entering the details on the Operation SNAP website (www.snap.org.nz), and something that is simple but awfully effective, record the details of suspicious people or vehicles, particularly registration numbers to give to Police.”
Burglary statistics for March and April, for the Hamilton North and Te Rapa/Pukete areas:
March
Alderwick Pl, Ann St, Ascot Rd x2, Balloch St, Bankwood Rd, Caister St, Cassey Ave, Chamberlain Pl x2, Clarkin Rd, Conway Pl, Douglas Cres. x2, Eliot St, Elmwood Cres, Endeavour Ave, English St x2, Ernest Rd, Fairfield Rd, Garland Dr, Greenhill Rd x2, Heaphy Tce, Heath St, Holland Rd x2, Horsham Downs Rd, Insswood Pl, Insoll Ave, Kenney Cres, Kensington Pl, MacCallum Ctx2, Mahana Rod, Masefield Dr, Milford Pl, Peachgrove Rd, Powells Rd, Raupo Pl, Reid Rd, River Rd, Ryan Ave, Sequioa Pl, Shakespeare Ave x2, Sunshine Ave x3, Tauhei Rd, Te Rapa Rd x2, Tongariro St, Tramway Rd x3, Tranmere Rd, Vickery St, Winter St.
April
Aquila Cres, Ascot Rd x2, Balmerino Cres, Banbury Cres, Bankwood Rd, Benson Rd, Bryant Rd x2, Callum Brae Dr x2, Cate Rd, Chequers Ave, Church Rd, Clarkin Rd x5, Crosby Rd x3, Edenpark Dr, Elmwood Cres, Endeavour Ave, Fairfield Rd x2, Farringdon Ave x2, Fendalton Dr, Halyard Cl, Heath St, Hockin Pl x2, Holland Rd x5, Holly Pl, Innswood Pl, Insoll Ave x2, Keats Cres, Kenney Cres, Mardon Rd, Marshall St, Matipo Cres, Maui St, Mayfair Ave, McKenzie Pl, Mercury Ct x3, Minchin Cres, Moonlight Dr, Moule Pl, Newfield Dr, Oxford St, Paul Cres, Peachgrove Rd, Piako Rd, Powells Rd, Radiata St, Ranfurly Ave, Rene Way x2, River Rd x4, Ross Cres, Ryan Ave, Sapphire Pl, Sare Cres, Saxon Woods Dr, Snell Dr x3, St Pauls Rd, Stonleigh Dr, Tauhei Rd, Taylor Tce, Te Rapa Rd x5, Thomas Rd, Tranmere Rd, Vickery St, Wentworth Dr x2, Winstone Ave, Woodlands Rd.
