Open home shouldn't mean open invitation

Holding an open home sometime soon? If you are, be aware that some "viewers" may be visiting your property with mischief on their minds.

Auckland Police are aware of a couple who, when recently attending an open home in an eastern suburb, made off with jewellery and other small but expensive items.

It's understandable that the operators of open homes - the agents - cannot be in all rooms at all times, so it's important that vendors ensure their valuables are either removed from the property during the sale period or locked away so that snooping opportunist thieves cannot lighten the load when it comes time to pack the house contents up.

Enquiries into the recent incident are continuing but Police are aware the couple filled in the viewer register with false names and contact details.

Bedside cabinets and chests of drawers were targeted and, if found to contain portable valuables, these were taken. Investigating officers have advised the Real Institute of NZ of the incident and are following some leads.

In the meantime the prevention advice is simple - lock it or lose it.

If anyone is aware of people carrying out this type of theft, they should contact the Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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