POLICE have issued advice following a spate of unattended vehicle thefts in Hampshire.

The incidents, in Southampton, Totton and Romsey, all involved unattended vehicles that were left with engines running yesterday morning.

At 6.48am, a black Lexus was stolen from Brookwood Road, Southampton.

At 7.37am, a silver Vauxhall Astra was stolen from Salcombe Road, Totton.

At 7.39am, a silver Volkswagen Touran was stolen from King Georges Avenue, Southampton.

An attempt was made tot steal a car from the driveway of an address in Bossington Close, Rownhams, at 6.12am. The offender stalled the car and ran off, abandoning it.

PC Simon Peacock said: "We’re advising residents not to leave their cars running while unattended.

"A lot of newer vehicles are keyless and owners sometimes assume that it’s safe to leave them running as long as they don’t leave the key inside.

"However, this isn’t the case, and these vehicles can still be stolen even if the key isn’t actually in the vehicle.

"Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended under any circumstances.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who thinks they might know where any of these cars are parked or being kept.

"We would also like to hear from anyone who was in any of these areas at the time of the thefts, or anyone who might have been driving in the areas with dashcams in their vehicles."

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101.