POLICE are warning Winchester drivers to protect their valuables when leaving cars in beauty spots this summer.

It follows five days of action earlier this month where police monitored beauty spot car parks in Alresford and St Catherine’s Hill.

Officers spoke to drivers from August 1 to August 5 to raise awareness of rural vehicle crime .

Inspector Rachel Upfold said: “A number of people admitted to leaving sat nav cradles on display and sat navs in their glove boxes or hiding handbags in their cars. “Most offences of theft from vehicle are opportunist. If valuable possessions such as handbags, sat navs, mobile phones and cameras are left inside a vehicle, it is much more likely to be targeted by thieves.

She added: “My simple message to motorists is, when leaving your car, close all windows, lock your doors and remove all valuable items. Unfortunately a lot of people put their valuables in the boot or in footwells and even though they are out of sight, they are by no means safe.”

Posters are being displayed in car parks to remind drivers of the police warning while drawstring rucksacks were handed out so motorists could store valuables safely and take them with them.