Gardaí have issued a warning to shoppers not to leave valuables visible in cars over the Christmas shopping period.
Opportunistic crime has been on the increase over the past few weeks with thieves breaking into cars and stealing handbags, mobile phones and any valuable item which is visible.
A wallet, with a small amount of cash and a credit card, was stolen from an unlocked car at Carrentubber, Balla between 1pm and 2pm on Monday December 15.
Gardaí have once again stressed that leaving valuables visible is a temptation to those who are engaging in these kind of crimes and advised that if you do need to leave a valuable item in the car lock it away in the boot. This goes for Christmas shopping also. As shoppers deposit bags in their cars before returning to the shops once again, they are reminded to lock their goods in the boot where they are not visible.
The public are also advised to park in well-lit areas and in busy car parks where there is a constant flow of people.
