Christmas cards stolen during car break in near Kingsclere

Christmas cards were stolen after a car was broken into in White Hill car park near Kingsclere on Wednesday.

Hampshire Constabulary said it had received reports that between 11.15am and 11.45am a green Volvo XC60 was targeted by thieves.

A window was smashed, littering the floor with broken glass.

Officers are investigating and witnesses can report any information online, quoting 44210501691.

This isn’t the first time cars have been targeted at the car park.

The force said it had received several other reports of vehicles being broken into at the car park and contents stolen, most recently on December 4, when a coat was taken from a Skoda Fabia.

The police has issued the following guidance to drivers to keep their vehicles safe:

1. Always lock it

Fuelling up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured. So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment.

If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.

2. Close windows and the sun roof to prevent ‘fishing’

Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.

3. Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws

The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.

4. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels

Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.

5. Secure anything that’s on the outside of your vehicle

Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.