POLICE are warning motorists to take extra care when leaving items in their cars over the festive period.
Last December there were 295 thefts from vehicles reported to Bromley police, a 60 per cent increase in offences from the same period in 2007.
Drivers are advised not to leave shopping on display as well as gadgets such as i-pods and sat nav systems.
They should also deter criminals by hiding suction pads and cradles used to hold sat navs.
Bromley police Detective Superintendent Martin Huxley said: “An empty cradle or suction marks are a dead giveaway as to what may be hidden in the vehicle and may be enough of an incentive for a thief to break in.
“Our message is 'take it or lose it' - never leave valuables in your vehicle.”
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