In the past fortnight, three burglaries, an unlawful taking, a theft from a car and interference with motor vehicles had been reported in the area around Tainui Rd, Sergeant Steve Aitken said.
A 34-year-old South Dunedin man was charged yesterday with receiving stolen property in relation to the thefts, but more suspects remained at large, St Aitken said.
The offenders were audacious and had committed crimes in the afternoon.
‘‘They have been [committed] from 3 o'clock [in the afternoon] until the evening, so they are cheeky because it's still daylight at that time and they are going on to properties and breaking into cars and breaking into cars on the street,'' Sgt Aitken said.
He suspected the crimes were committed by the same offender or group of offenders.
However, police did not think the man arrested yesterday had carried out the crimes.
He would appear in the Dunedin District Court on November 21.
Tainui residents needed to remain vigilant, Sgt Aitken said.
Police offered simple advice to the residents of the area to keep themselves and their possessions safe.
"Please ensure that you secure your home and vehicles and remove all valuable items from your car.''
Resident Karen Schwass said she was unaware of the problem until police knocked on her door yesterday morning.
"I didn't realise it was quite so bad,'' she said.
‘‘I might go out and get latches [for my windows].''
She moved to the area from South Dunedin earlier this year and had always felt safe in her new suburb.
"I have come from Loyalty St and I didn't feel safe one day there, but [in Tainui] there's been times I have woken up and left my bathroom window open,'' she said.
She would be more cautious in future because of the recent spike in crime.
Sgt Aitken said anyone with information that could help should contact Dunedin police on (03) 471-4800 or, if they saw anything suspicious, call 111 immediately.
"We can't be in every street at every time. We really need our community partners to help us catch these people.''
