Police say gas califonts are being stolen from building sites and new builds in the north of Auckland to be sold online.
A gas califont worked by heating a coil of continuously flowing water with gas.
Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Roger Small said Waitematā north police have noticed “an increase in the theft of these units, predominately from homes that are currently under construction”.
“These homes are often easy to access as they are not yet properly secured, giving would be thieves an easy entrance.”
He said the heating systems were simple to remove, and easy to on sell via places such as Facebook Marketplace.
Police said some potential prevention measures included installing a security bracket, which could be fitted into the back of the califont to make it much harder to be removed.
“These brackets would significantly slow down offenders, making your property a less attractive target,” Small said.
Another measure would be to install the califont as late in the building process as possible, as an occupied dwelling was far less appealing to offenders, and install CCTV.
Police provided tips to buyers concerned their purchased goods could be stolen property, including recording serial numbers, checking if price is “too good to be true”, reporting offending to police and being vigilant.
“Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”
