Wellington Police are warning people to be vigilant after a spike in courier parcels being stolen.
Police were called about 11am to Rowe Road in the Lower Hutt suburb of Wainuiomata, on Wednesday, after a courier van was stolen.
After receiving information from members of the public who reported seeing suspicious behaviour in the area, police were able to arrest a man for the theft a short time later.
On December 6, police received a burglary complaint from a resident who lived in Mclintock Street in the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville, who had a courier package taken from her doorstep.
A few days later, police were also alerted to a woman who had been caught by a Ngaio resident stealing a package from a letterbox.
Two similar incidents have also been reported in Johnsonville, police said.
They said the incidents were a timely reminder, in the lead-up to Christmas, to be wary of courier and parcel theft.
TIPS TO AVOID CHRISTMAS CRIME:
* Get packages delivered to a place where someone will receive them.
* If you do have deliveries made to your home, make sure you're going to be home to sign for them, or have a secure location where they can be left.
* If you're not going to be home when the parcel is delivered, it is best to arrange to collect your parcel from the depot, or have the parcel redirected to the address of someone you trust.
* Be smart when disposing of packaging, so as not to advertise the fact you have bought a new TV, computer or other big ticket item.
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