POLICE Sergeant Dave MacFadden, the neighbourhood team leader for Crediton and Cullompton is urging local communities in Mid Devon to be aware of opportunist thieves looking for valuables left in vehicles during the Christmas and New Year shopping periods.

He says this is when more high value items than usual may be in cars.

Both neighbourhood teams are recommending that people follow these simple precautions when out and about Christmas shopping:

• Lock your vehicles and close windows.

• Park your vehicle in a safe and well lit area. Use secure car parks.

• Leave nothing on display in your vehicle. Remove items such as sat-nav and cradle, tools, mobiles, and money.

• Plan shopping so that bulky items are collected at the end of the day rather than being stored in your vehicle.

• Property mark your possessions and register your valuables using the free service at: www.immobilise.com . This enables police to identify the owner of the items if they are stolen.

If you need to report a theft from a vehicle, contact the police by emailing: [email protected] .

In the event of an emergency, dial 999.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via: www.crimestoppers-uk.org .

Alan Quick