Bicycles and tools are the most commonly stolen items by thieves who sneak into Canberra underground car parks, usually when the security gates are triggered by a resident to drive in or out.
Police say opportunistic thieves generally target security cages within the complexes but also will break into cars and steal any items of value and portability.
In the past seven months, ACT police said there have been 204 reported burglaries of apartment storage cages in underground car parks and want to raise awareness of the crime.
This figure includes burglaries where thieves have got into the complex and gained access to multiple security cages.
The suburbs most often targeted by these thieves since August last year have been Turner, Belconnen, Kingston, Braddon, Gungahlin and Wright.
Police and the ACT's Justice and Community Safety directorate have collaborated on an property crime campaign called "Outsmart the Offender", which offers security tips for apartment residents.
Police say the key way to avoid becoming a victim of this type of theft, and to protect your fellow residents, is to be more aware when driving in or out of apartment car parks and not to let others "tailgate" their way through a secure gate.
Police also suggest residents wait for the security gate to close completely before driving on, and to watch out for suspicious people lurking near a secure gate, door, elevator or stairway.
Another tip is to ask the strata management to set up a code word to only be used by residents, and ensure there are CCTV cameras in the common areas.
If residents suspect thieves may have illegally entered their apartment complex and they feel unsafe, they should call police operations on 131 444.
