MOTORISTS in Huntingdonshire are being warned not to leave any valuables in their vehicles after a Hunts Post investigation found rich pickings are still being left on car seats. In an average year, more than 6,500 incidents of theft from vehicles are rep

MOTORISTS in Huntingdonshire are being warned not to leave any valuables in their vehicles after a Hunts Post investigation found rich pickings are still being left on car seats.

In an average year, more than 6,500 incidents of theft from vehicles are reported to Cambridgeshire Police.

Last year, in the central division, there were 1,607 incidents.

Yet the message not to leave valuables in a car is not hitting home. A simple search around car parks in Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives uncovered a variety of goods on the back seats.

This included mobile phones and, incredibly, one motorist had left a chequebook and assorted bank statements on the back seat.

At the Tesco carpark in Barford Road, St Neots, which has suffered 12 thefts from vehicles this year, shoppers seemed very aware of the dangers and some had been victims in the past.

Barbara Osborn, from Eynesbury, said: "I'm always very careful not to leave anything on display.

"I've had my car broken into and thieves even broke into our house to take our van keys we had left on the side. We keep them in a safe now."

Shopper Robert Osmanie, of Eynesbury Manor, said: "I always take my valuables with me, I never leave anything in the car. My wife has had something stolen before so we're extra careful now."

But that was not the case at the Riverside car park in Huntingdon, or Waitrose car park in St Ives.

Here The Hunts Post found all manner of temptations for potential thieves including a mountain bike and document wallets.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "We have ongoing work in place across Huntingdonshire to reduce vehicle crime. However, we need the public's help if we are to make more of an impact.

"By leaving a window open, your car unlocked or valuables on display your are tempting the opportunist thief who, in just a few minutes, can break into your vehicle.

"Having your car broken into is not only costly but also time consuming.

"Our advice is to remove all valuable items from your car and leave glove boxes open, before leaving it unattended."

POLICE ADVICE

- Lock all doors and close all windows, even the sunroof, every time you leave the car

- Ensure the car is alarmed

- Remove everything from display - coats or loose change can be an incentive to break in

- If your stereo has a removable front panel, take it with you

- Take all belongings when you leave the car. If you can't, leave them in the boot

- Park in a well lit area