MOTORISTS are being warned to keep property left inside vehicles safe in the run-up to Christmas.

Members of the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership are reminding people of the importance of taking simple security measures.

There have been 301 thefts from vehicles in Hambleton in the past year.

Councillor Carl Les, chairman of the partnership's burglary and auto crime group, said: "A lot of car crime is carried out by opportunists and could be prevented. We know that encouraging motorists not to leave goods on display in a car can reduce the risk of theft.

"Mobile phones, laptops, books, CDs, even an old coat on the back seat may tempt someone to smash and grab just in case it is valuable.

"And in the run-up to Christmas, thieves know there are likely to be gifts to help themselves to as well.

"We ask people not to leave anything on display - except perhaps a parking disc."

He said 63 per cent of thefts occur outside the home, so care should be taken not to leave anything in cars when they are parked overnight.