Residents are being reminded to ensure their vehicles are secure following a spate of night time incidents involving opportunist thieves trying to open car doors in Mansfield.

Mansfield District Police confirmed officers had received a number of reports of individuals trying car door handles during the night in an attempt to find unlocked vehicles and steal items left inside.

A spokesman for Mansfield District Police said: “It only takes a few seconds for a thief to check a vehicle, and unfortunately many thefts occur simply because a door has been left unlocked.

“Before heading to bed tonight, please take a moment to check your vehicle is locked, remove valuables and bags from sight, take phones, wallets, and other personal items indoors and consider leaving security lighting on where possible.

“A few seconds of prevention could save you from becoming a victim of crime and the loss of valuable or sentimental belongings.”