A HANDBAG was stolen from a New Forest car park over the Easter weekend.

The bag was left in the backseat of a car at Bratley View car park.

Police officers are now urging visitors to the New Forest to keep their possessions safe.

In an online post, a spokesperson from New Forest Heart Cops said: "Please make sure you don’t leave anything valuable in your vehicle, take it with you.

Daily Echo: Pictured: The bike worth nearly £5,000. Photo: New Forest Heart CopsPictured: The bike worth nearly £5,000. Photo: New Forest Heart Cops

"Thieves will be operating in the Forest and they will be looking to steal bags, wallets and bicycles so keep them with you at all times."

Following the handbag theft, one family told officers how they will now be keeping their bike, worth nearly £5,000, inside. 

Officers have advised people to keep bikes with them at all times or to remove a wheel or the saddle if storing it in a public place.