Offender disturbed on owner’s return

Police beat

There were five reported burglaries last week.

Three were at residential properties, one was at a commercial property and one at a community facility.

At one of the residential properties the offender was disturbed by the owners returning home. A description of the offender was given and follow-up inquiries are being made. At another property offenders have ransacked the whole house, taking diamond rings, silver bracelets, cash and 500 antibiotic tablets. Another property was targeted solely for jewellery.

At the commercial property the alarm activated and the offenders left empty handed. At the community facility power-tools needed for a course that is running were stolen.

There was one vehicle reported as stolen last week, however this was located a short distance away.

I am still amazed at the number of people who are leaving valuables in plain view within a car and leaving them parked up over night. There are a lot of opportunistic criminals around who will take advantage of expensive items left in plain view.

People need to start taking some personal responsibility towards their own property. It is only common sense to shut windows and lock doors when going out and to secure vehicles when they are parked up, and not leaving valuable items within in plain view.

If more people were not so blasé about minor security matters around the home, then the opportunistic criminals in our midst would not have such an easy time  taking what doesn’t belong to them.

The Orewa New World Santa Parade is on this weekend, so come out and support the local community and bring the children to see Santa.

A lot of people and groups have spent months getting their floats together and have put a lot of effort into making this a pleasurable day. So bring the family and enjoy the festivity, and make the day an enjoyable one for everyone.

At 11.30am, just before the parade starts, there is a food drive that will run the parade track, collecting tinned foods or non-perishable products. If you can spare a tin of food or a non-perishable food product bring these along with you to help us help those in the community who are struggling at this time of year.

Hibiscus Coast crime statistics for November 10 to 17:

Burglaries: Foundry Rd, Silverdale, East Coast Rd, Redvale, Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa, Pine Valley Rd, Dairy Flat, Albatross Rd, Red Beach.

Theft from vehicle: Everard Ave, Army Bay.

– Orewa community constable Christine Fox

- © Fairfax NZ News