Counties Manukau East area prevention manager Acting Inspector Stephen Richards is warning the public to be on the look out for opportunistic thieves.
Police are cautioning people to be vigilant around shopping centres as a spate of bag snatching hits East Auckland.
Area prevention manager Acting Inspector Stephen Richards says numerous cases of handbags being taken from cars has lead police to increase their visibility at shopping centres and malls.
"We don't want to get people frightened of somebody grabbing them and ripping their bag off. It's more from the vehicle or even from the [shopping] trolley," he says.
Valuables being left highly visible inside parked motor vehicles are causing them to be broken into.
"It's not so much a snatch in the traditional sense where a person is walking along the road with their bag over their shoulder and somebody grabs the bag.
"It's more approaching a vehicle after watching someone put their bag in the boot and they open the boot, grab the bag and run off.
"Also, when someone puts their bag on the passenger seat of the vehicle and they go to drive off, the door gets opened and the bag is taken."
Richards says people need to be aware of their surroundings and who is around.
"We would advise people to lock their doors when they get into the vehicle. Some people put their bag with the handle wrapped around the gear stick so it makes it harder for someone to grab.
"Also look around while you are putting your groceries in the car just to see who is hanging around and be aware."
He says incidences of bag snatching are taking place right across the area, at town centres and shopping centres.
"Not necessarily the traditional ones either, but the smaller ones like Botany Junction or the little vegetable shops."
As a result police are stationing more officers in and around shopping centre car parks.
"Members of the public can expect to see us doing foot patrols through those car parks and stopping and talking to anyone in the area who we think might be acting suspicious," Richards says.
"It's important to us that people feel safe while they are shopping."
* To report a crime or any suspicious activity call 111 in an emergency or Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- Stuff
