Homeless hunt for unused homes

Senior Sergeant Colin Campbell of Christchurch police said there were several recent cases of people breaking into houses for warmth.

"Itinerants, homeless, and often people on the run from police, look for somewhere to get out of the cold at this time of year," Mr Campbell said in a statement.

"They will look for an empty house particularly in the inner city, and break in. They will often light a fire to keep warm using the doors or flooring or anything they can find in the house, putting themselves and neighbours in danger."

Mr Campbell said homeless people were often drug and alcohol users and did not care what state they left properties in.

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