Police in Newry Mourne and Down District are taking the opportunity to urge motorists not to leave valuables in their cars when parked in local car parks.
A police spokesperson said: “Police would encourage everyone to think about vehicle security. Keep your vehicle locked at all times.
“Leaving valuables, such as your handbag, wallet, CD player, laptop, Sat Nav or phone on view in your vehicle is like an open invitation to opportunist thieves. If they see something valuable on view, they will find a way to get it. You only have to leave your vehicle for a short time for a thief to act.
“Taking simple precautions such as locking valuable items out of sight can help ensure they will be kept safe. Taking just a few moments can significantly improve your chances of not becoming a victim of this type of crime.
“Improved car security features such as alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices can also help protect your vehicle and your valuables.
“As it only takes a matter of seconds to break into a car, we would also urge everyone to promptly report all suspicious activity they notice near vehicles or car alarms that have been activated, as this will help to deter and help us to detect those involved in this type of crime.”
