Hong Kong police have arrested two people on suspicion of burglary after one of them allegedly climbed maintenance work scaffolding at a residential building and prised open window grilles at two homes before stealing HK$6,000 (US$765) in cash.

The force also warned on Saturday that it was becoming a trend for burglars to enter flats at buildings undergoing renovation to their exteriors through scaffolding, urging security guards to heighten their vigilance.

Cheung Man-tik, a senior inspector with the crime squad in Tsuen Wan district, said the force had received two reports of burglary at separate flats in the same building in the district on April 28.

One suspect was arrested in Ta Kwu Ling and the other in Lok Ma Chau on Friday.

The arrestees, both from mainland China, were a 52-year-old businessman and a 45-year-old woman working in the nursing industry.

The building, which had security guards and a surveillance camera, was undergoing maintenance work on the exterior, according to the force.