Police are reminding residents to keep their cars secure and remove valuables from view to avoid becoming the victim of crime.


Many thefts from vehicles are opportunist crimes where thieves will spot something left on view through the window.


These kind of crimes can be avoided by ensuring items are removed from vehicles.


Sergeant Jamie O’Brien, of Fleet police station, said: “The simple message to everyone is that if there’s nothing in your car then it can’t be stolen.


“Thefts from cars can be quite common in local beauty spots and secluded car parks and we would remind everyone to ensure vehicles are properly secured at all times.


“We would also remind people to think about having their property marked so that if it is lost or stolen and recovered by police it can be easily returned.


Police in Hart are currently running Operation Capon that is aimed at tackling aqusitive crime throughout the district.


As part of Op Capon Hampshire Constabulary offers the following advice:

• Don’t leave anything in your car – if it’s not there, then it can’t be stolen.

• Choose a stereo that can be removed and make sure you take it with you! You should also mark it with your registration number or postcode, in case it is stolen.

• Thieves aren’t picky, so don’t leave even low-value items. Often thieves will smash and grab first and look later to see if what they’ve stolen is valuable.

• Don’t hide it – if you hide items under the seat or in the glove box, chances are someone will have watched you. If you cannot avoid leaving something in your car, put it in your boot before you begin your journey.

• Don’t leave valuables in your car even for a minute – it only takes a thief a few seconds to smash a window and get what they want, so don’t take the chance.

• Your car isn’t safe on your driveway – nearly half of all incidents where items are stolen from cars happen when they are parked overnight, close to the owner’s home.

• Don’t leave your house keys or anything with your address on it in your vehicle - someone could steal your keys and then let themselves into your home.