Last updated at 16:29, Wednesday, 08 August 2012

MOTORISTS are being warned after seven cars were broken into in seven days.

In the last week police have received reports of seven thefts from vehicles in Barrow and Walney.

Some of the items taken include sat navs, wallets and bags.

Police have issued a stern warning about leaving valuables on display in a parked car.

In three of the seven thefts, taxis were targeted and cash was stolen.

Sergeant Ian McClymont, of Barrow police, said: “The items which have been stolen are all easily removable, such as cash, wallets and rucksacks.

“We regularly warn people about leaving items of value in their cars but the message is just not getting through.

“It is upsetting when your vehicle is broken into but when people are making it an easy target for opportunistic thieves, then they will become victims of crime. I understand people lead busy lives and forget to take items out of the car, but there are a number of solutions, such as not leaving money in your car. Put in a bag or your jacket anything which you will remove from the car.

“If using your wallet or purse, make sure you put it back into your jacket, don’t just throw it onto the seat or in a compartment because this is when you can forget to take it out of the car. Don’t leave mobile phones or satellite navigation systems in your car, remove them at all times, thieves will break into boots or glove compartments if they suspect that you have items of value in your car.

“We cannot make the message anymore simple, don’t leave anything in your car. It is not a secure place and thieves will take the opportunity to remove anything of value.”

The first theft took place in Brown Street, Barrow, when a car was broken into and a wallet was stolen between 8.30pm last Monday and 8.10am the following morning, while overnight last Tuesday, a wallet was stolen from a car parked in Westgate Road, Barrow.

Cash was stolen from a taxi parked in Wordsworth Street, Barrow, between 2.30am and 9.15am on Saturday while later the same day in Darent Avenue, Walney, takings were stolen from a taxi between 3pm and 3.30pm.

On Monday, a third taxi was broken into while parked in Ferry Road, Barrow, and a rucksack was taken from a car in Newcastle Street, Barrow, while a seventh car was broken into and a wallet stolen in Empress Drive, Walney, at around 2.45am yesterday.

First published at 16:15, Wednesday, 08 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk