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.”