THE Daily Echo has teamed up with Southampton police today to help warn people about car crime.

Motorists and passengers often make themselves easy targets for thieves by leaving valuable items, from Sat Navs to handbags, on display in their vehicles.

Thieves can see them easily and within seconds can smash a window and make off with the goods. Even just leaving a satellite navigation holder on the windscreen can encourage thieves to break-in and look for the device.

Since the start of April there have been 142 thefts from vehicles in the city and today police will be on hand at Sainsbury's in Lordshill to give advice of how not to fall victim to the thieves.

The city's crime prevention team are giving away new tax disc holders with advice on the back and a message on the front telling would be thieves there are no valuables in the car.

Meanwhile, a goody bag of freebies including lanyards to stop purse thefts, timer switches for lights and bells for purses will also be available from the Daily Echo team when you stop and buy the paper.

The team will be in the car park of the store between 11am and 4pm.