Operation Brake targeted thefts from vehicles, stolen vehicles and burglaries, but Detective Sergeant Dan Keno, of Oamaru, said people still needed to be reminded to ''lock it or lose it''.
During the operation, run over Christmas and into the new year, police investigated 108 dishonesty offences which included theft from cars, the unlawful taking of vehicles and burglaries that occurred in and around Oamaru in which thousands of dollars of items were taken and damage caused.
That resulted in the arrest of five people operating independently in two separate gangs, a 16-year-old female facing 12 charges, a 17-year-old female 14, a 21-year-old male 20, a 15-year-old male nine and a 16-year-old male five charges.
Most of the stolen items were not recovered.
In an operation that had both a prevention and crime-reduction approach, staff made foot patrols in high-risk locations.
Over four days, they found 57 vehicles parked on Oamaru streets that were insecure. Many also had valuable items on display. Police placed fliers on these vehicles to remind people of the need to ''lock it or lose it''.
Det Sgt Keno said vehicle owners always needed to be mindful of the need to secure their vehicles and remove any valuables or place them out of sight. The Oamaru Police Youth Education trailer is now also sporting the ''Lock It or Lose It'' message to keep it in the minds of local people.
''As part of our crime prevention strategy, we'll be parking up the trailer in crime hot spots in and around Oamaru where theft from vehicles regularly occurs,'' he said.
The trailer, when not being used on police business, would be taken to crime hot spots so people living in those areas were aware of the need to secure their properties and vehicles, increasing the visibility of the message.
''Unlocked vehicles create a great opportunity and easy pickings for some people in our community. No matter where your car is parked, always lock it and secure your valuables,'' was Det Sgt Keno's advice.
