WITH Christmas fast approaching, Merseyside Police are staging crime prevention roadshows warning drivers to be vigilant against thieves stealing from cars.

Theft of items including presents from cars is a particularly prevalent during the winter months.

During November and December last year 1,060 reports of items having been stolen from vehicles were received by the force.

The events will take place in Wirral on Friday, December 5, from 9am to 3.30pm, at Asda, Grange Road, Birkenhead, and the following Friday, December 12, at the Asda store in Bromborough.

Officers and PCSOs will offer crime prevention and security advice about keeping cars and belongings safe. Local businesses are also being visited by officers providing advice and support.

The majority of thefts were from insecure vehicles, with the offenders simply taking anything that was readily to hand.

Basic procedures such as locking your car and, if you are unable to take them with you, leaving items including presents in the boot or under the front seat rather than on the seats will reduce the risk of being targeted by opportunistic criminals.

Chief Inspector Dawn McNally said: "This time of year people are understandably very busy rushing around and often people can forget to lock their vehicles when they are out and about.

"The main thing for people is to be aware that thieves see the Christmas period as an ideal opportunity to strike and know people are often distracted and may easily fall victim to opportunistic thefts as they have forgotten to lock their vehicle or have left items on display."