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Two men who turned up uninvited at a rural Marlborough property allegedly claimed they were plumbers. (archive photo)
Two suspicious visitors disguised as plumbers have prompted Marlborough Police to issue a warning to rural property owners to beware of suspicious activity.
Waihopai Valley residents had called police on the couple after they visited their properties earlier this month armed with plumbing tools, although nothing had been stolen so far.
Senior Constable Russ Smith, from Blenheim, said police received a report of two men driving a white van entering a property on Waihopai Valley Road at around 9am on May 5.
Ricky Wilson/stuff
Police have received a report of a break-in at an address in the Waihopai Valley.
“It is understood they said they were plumbers and were there to do plumbing work on the property. The van they were driving appeared to have equipment in the back consistent with that claim,” Smith said.
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“However, the property owner had not hired plumbers to do any work.”
Police were also informed that on May 8, two men visited several properties on nearby Tyntesfield Road. However, police had since investigated the visit and discovered they were genuine tradesmen employed by a local resident who had difficulty finding the correct address, Smith said.
The reports indicate nothing was stolen from the properties in question, Smith said.
Scott Hammond/Cloth
Senior Constable Russ Smith says rural properties are increasingly being targeted by criminals.
“Police investigations into this matter are ongoing.”
Smith advised people in rural areas of Marlborough to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and urged people to check the security of their homes, outbuildings, vehicles and equipment.
New Zealand Police
Police have introduced a new number – 105 – intended for crimes that do not pose an immediate threat to the public, such as burglary, vandalism and general investigations (first published in 2019).
“Rural properties are increasingly becoming a target for criminals looking to steal valuables that are not secured,” Smith said.
Anyone who was aware of any suspicious activity, whether involving vehicles, people or both, was urged to report it to police. This can be done by calling 105 or by reporting online on the New Zealand Police website.
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