POLICE are urging motorists to be on their guard after a spate of thefts in a Hampshire community.

Four cars have been targeted by thieves in Netley on one night and two of the cars had been left unlocked while the owners of the other two cars had left valuables inside.

Thieves took property including mobile phones and wallets containing cash from vehicles parked on Priory Road, Grange Road and Monks Road.

They are advising people to not leave their cars and vans unlocked and to remove all valuables even if they are out of sight.

PC Mark Arnold from Hedge End police station said: “We would urge car owners to always lock their vehicles and to remove all valuable property when leaving them unattended.

“There is sometimes a false sense of security that if items are hidden your car will not be targeted but thieves will watch as you park up and hide items under seats or in the boot.”

Other tips include: Avoid parking in car parks with poor visibility, if possible park in view of CCTV cameras or under lighting and before leaving your car look around to see if anyone is watching.

Anyone with information on these car thefts, that happened overnight between Monday and Tuesday is asked to call police on 101.