Police are warning Wairarapa residents of a sharp increase in thefts in the region - particularly cars being stolen or broken into.
The burglaries often take place when a vehicle has been parked outside the owner’s house or in their driveway, and have largely occurred at night.
Wairarapa Police have arrested some individuals relating to a couple of different offendings, but encourage the public not to get complacent.
"Thanks to calls and information from the public, Wairarapa Police have apprehended several youths in relation to this offending," Detective Sergeant Matt Wasson of the Wairarapa Tactical Crime Unit.
"They are being dealt with through the Youth Court and by Youth Aid."
Det Sgt Wasson suggests residents "park in well-lit areas if on the street, or down driveways where they are less visible from the roadside".
"Always remove your valuables from your vehicles and consider vehicle alarms," he said. "Vehicles left with valuable items in plain sight create opportunities for offenders on the lookout for easy targets."
