POLICE are warning people not to leave valuables in their cars after seven recent incidents in which cars have been broken into by thieves.

Two of the vehicles were broken into in Salisbury on December 5, with five incidents in other areas.

Handbags had been left in the vehicles. Some had been left under the seats, but police say this is often the first place a thief will look and may have been watching the victims as they left their vehicles.

Crime prevention officer Amanda Clarke said: ‘We need the public to take responsibility for their valuables and not leave them in cars. “Take your bag with you whenever you leave your car, even if it is just for a minute to post a letter, return a trolley or pay for your petrol. “Please call police if you see anyone behaving suspiciously around parked cars.”

Advice from police is:

• Try to park in a Park Mark car park and near to other vehicles.

• Don’t leave laptops, satnavs, mobile phones, handbags, credit cards, cheque books in your car. If it is absolutely unavoidable – place them in the boot.

• Mark your stereo with the vehicle registration number. Make a note of the make, model and serial number of the equipment and keep the note somewhere safe – not in the car. Register it at immobilise.com.

• Don’t leave valuables in the glove compartment or try to hide anything under the seat – thieves will check these areas first. Leave your glove box open to show there is nothing in it.

• Don’t leave anything on display, you may know that your wallet isn’t in your jacket but a thief will break a window just to check.

• If you own a van, make sure you remove your tools overnight and display an appropriate sign in the rear window making this clear.

If anyone has information regarding these thefts please contact the Salisbury City Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101 or if a crime is in progress dial 999.

For more information regarding vehicle crime prevention please contact Amanda Clarke on 101 or visit the Wiltshire Police website wiltshire.police.uk.