A HAMPSHIRE woman has told how thieves smashed into her car and stole a Help for Heroes charity bucket.

Barbara Raymond’s s taxi was one of dozens of vehicles targeted by car thieves in Winchester.

Mum-of-four Barbara Raymond is among 49 victims who have had their cars broken into by thieves in the Winchester area.

This this figure over the same period last year was just four car crimes across the city, a rise of more than 1,100 per cent.

The thieves escaped with just £10 from the charity bucket taken from the taxi driven by Barbara, of Wavell Way, Stanmore.

Video footage shows the two culprits target her car, one stood as a lookout while the other smashed in the front window to and used a crowbar to force open the door.

Barbara, 50, said: "They took everything out of the side pocket and completely ransacked the car.”

The theft meant she was not able to visit her terminally ill father.

She added: “They do not know what they are doing to people - they are just after a quick buck. They should get a job.”

Another victim is self-employed hackney taxi-driver John Boardman, 55, who says his car was targeted when parked at Fairdown Close two weeks ago.

Thieves stole money after smashing a car window, and now he says he has taken extra security measures.

Mr Boardman said: “It is a shock - I left some money in the car and I was waiting for a call for another job when it happened.”

He said police dealt with the incident quickly and his car is repaired and back on the road but he said other taxi drivers in Stanmore and Oliver’s Battery have also been hit.

Police are tackling the crime wave by using covert operations and are also working with Winchester City Council to help educate residents on how to keep their vehicles more secure.

Winchester City Council leader Stephen Godfrey said: “Such intrusive crime can often leave the victim dealing with other consequences, including invalid insurance, if the car was left insecure or personal items being lost that can’t be replaced.

"We will continue to work with the police and other organisations to help keep Winchester a safe and pleasant place to live.”

If you think there is a crime in action, call Hampshire Constabulary on 999 and if you have information about previous incidents or who you think might be involved, call police on 101.