A VOLVO XC60 has been broken into in Kingsclere and Christmas cards were stolen from the car.

The incident happened on Wednesday, December 15, in Whitehill car park in Kingsclere.

According to police, they received reports that between 11.15am and 11.45am on December 15, a green Volvo XC60 was broken into in the Kingsclere car park and Christmas cards were stolen.

This was not the first time a car was broken into from the area in the recent past.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “This [Christmas card theft] follows several other reports of vehicles being broken into at the car park and contents stolen, most recently including on December 4, when a coat was taken from a Skoda Fabia.”

Officers are investigating the thefts. If you have been in the car park during the time of the incidents, or witnessed anything, you are requested to report it online, quoting the reference number 44210501691.

Following the spike in number of thefts from cars in the area, police shared a photo of broken glasses from the Volvo and issued an advisory for people who park their vehicles in public places.

The advisory by Hampshire Constabulary reads:

Having your car broken into and losing your things to thieves can be very distressing. Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your vehicle, and what’s in it, safe.

1. Always lock it

Fuelling up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured. So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment.

If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.

2. Close windows and the sun roof to prevent ‘fishing’

Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.

3. Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws

The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.

4. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels

Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.

5. Secure anything that’s on the outside of your vehicle

Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.