Burglars are targeting North Dunedin homes, where student flats make easy pickings, police say.
Five of the six burglaries reported to Dunedin police at the weekend were in the north end. Senior Sergeant Bruce Ross said students were targeted because they often left homes unlocked, particularly when they lived in a large flat with four or five others.
In one weekend incident, the occupants of a Leith St flat were upstairs when an ''unknown offender'' entered the house and stole a laptop and several purses, Snr Sgt Ross said.
''It [burglary] seems to be picking up, and most is happening in the North Dunedin area,'' he said.
A Harbour Tce resident discovered a stranger trying to enter a bedroom of the house about 11pm on Sunday.
The male offender was described as aged about 40, with greying hair. He had a backpack.
He fled when the occupant saw him trying to enter the bedroom, Snr Sgt Ross said.
The Highgate Dairy in Roslyn was also broken into at the weekend.
Witnesses saw three men wearing dark clothing smash a door and enter the shop about 1am yesterday.
''The alarm sounded and the offenders fled,'' Snr Sgt Ross said.
A car parked in Forbury Rd was broken into and the glove box contents strewn on the footpath, while another car parked nearby had a window smashed.
Snr Sgt Ross advised Dunedin residents to be vigilant and ensure their homes and vehicles were secured at all times.
''If residents do see anyone in their area that looks out of place they should ring the local police station as soon as possible,'' he said.
