Police have arrested a woman in connection with a spate of burglaries of residential properties in Whakatāne’s town centre.

Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon said police had received reports of mail theft and unlawful entry into secured residential buildings, where a person had allegedly followed residents inside or exploited access points to enter the property.

“An individual was identified and ultimately apprehended via some good assistance provided by the residents themselves,” he said.

The woman has been charged and appeared in the Whakatāne District Court last week.

Police have acknowledged the assistance and support of the public in the investigation.

Mr Mackinnon encourages people to report all suspicious or unlawful behaviour, even if it appears minor, and to be vigilant in securing their personal property, including locking vehicles and buildings.

Non-emergency matters can be reported via 105, while emergencies or incidents in progress should be reported via 111.

“If you find someone on or in your property, even during the daytime, that’s a call to Police we want you to make,” he said.

Police are continuing to focus patrols across all parts of the Whakatāne district including the CBD, as well as the wider Eastern Bay.