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New Zealand wide, the problem of
hire cars, campervans and motor homes being broken into has
been described as an epidemic. In the year to last June,
more than 53,000 people reported having something stolen from
their vehicle. |
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Police report that thieves are
becoming more brazen in their attempts to break into rental
cars, campervans and mobile homes. Surveillance cameras are
installed at many popular tourist car parks but a police
report said thieves were no longer deterred. |
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Warning signs urging people to
'lock it or lose it' are now common place in many public car
parks, but tourist hotspots are often the hardest-hit. Coach
drivers dropping off tourist at the the Tongariro National
Park, have been warning motorists to empty their vehicles, and
some tourist have reported been told to leave their glove box
open and doors unlocked so thieves can see there is nothing
inside - saving windows from getting smashed. |
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Other attractions such as
Craters of the Moon, a geothermal area north of Taupo, have
tried to tackle the problem by having volunteers supervise
vehicles during the day, while other areas use the inclusion
of a 'car park shop' as a deterrent. |
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Visit our New Zealand
touring Blog for news about crime against tourist |
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New Zealand is one of the
safest travel destinations in the world, with a very low crime
rate. |
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Don't leave valuables
(especially your passport, cash or cameras) in rental cars or
campervans, particularly at scenic spots or at trail-heads for
popular tramps. |
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Don't think
that, because the scenic spot car park is busy, your hire car etc wont
get broken into. Busy car parks are the ones targeted by thieves. |
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Don't try and hide valuables from view. |
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Don't think
that its only locals committing the theft. Its often tourists. The
north Island has more of this type of theft problem than the South
Island. |
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Don't leave
skis or snowboards on roof racks unlocked or on view inside your
rental vehicle. |
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Don't
believe that a car park based store or kiosk will look after your
rental car or motorhome. |
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Do hire a
New Zealand motor home or campervan with a built in safe. Many New
Zealand hire companies have them as a standard feature. |