By Jessica Rowe
Christchurch residents living in the red zone are worried for their safety but it is not because of the earthquake damage.
Their worry is burglars who have been preying on homes awaiting demolition, on the lookout for things like dishwashers and microwaves.
One five-year-old home is about to be demolished but already burglars have sneaked inside taking what they want.
Owner Craig Bugden says they managed to get the dishwasher and tried taking the oven too.
“Mostly it has just been the easy to shift items, usually dishwashers, any microwave that has been left behind,” says Mr Bugden. “Obviously if there is a copper water cylinder they go pretty quick.”
Residents still living in the red-zoned neighbourhood like Jill Trowbridge are frightened for their safety.
“We’ve seen a lot of people just driving around, looking in, as well as homeless people wandering around, and you just really don't know who is in the neighbourhood,” she says.
Since demolition has begun a number of these abandoned houses have been targeted. Police are investigating the burglaries and have increased patrols in the area.
Four properties have been targeted by thieves in the last week since the residential demolition programme began.
Senior Sergeant Roy Appley says the issue is about the residents who remain in those zones and how they feel about their community as it changes, “so primarily their well being and their safety”.
Ms Trowbridge describes it as “nerve wracking”.
“We are just trying not to let it get us down, we are going to stay here another year so hopefully we will be fine.”
Police and contractors will be working to make sure that residents feel safe as their neighbourhood slowly disappears.
3 News