VISITORS to the New Forest are being warned of thieves targeting cars and stealing personal belongings.
Police have warned that thieves operating in the New Forest target parked cars with valuable items on display.
Officers have teamed up with forest rangers to crack down on theft in the area and give out crime prevention advice.
In a stark warning, police have published photos of a pile of handbags stolen from cars parked in Fritham and then dumped in bushes.
They also warn people not to store valuables in their car boot, as thieves could be watching.
A post on the New Forest Heart Cops Facebook page said: "Morning all, we will be visiting as many New Forest car parks as we can again today reminding people that thieves target parked cars with anything valuable on display inside them. Please take everything with you and don’t ‘hide’ anything in the boot because you never know who is watching you. The second photo shows several handbags stolen from cars parked at Fritham last year and just dumped in the bushes when anything valuable had been removed. Make sure you always take yours with you. Many thanks and stay safe."
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