Gardaí issue car parking theft alert

GARDAÍ in Mayo are urging Christmas shoppers to be vigilant of theft in retail car parks this month.

The warning comes as new figures show that €400,000 worth of goods was stolen from shoppers’ cars in Ireland last year.

The figures were revealed by the Garda Analysis Service at the launch Retail Safety Day. They also showed that over 50 retail car park thefts took place each month in 2015.

Incidents are most common on Tuesdays and Fridays between 12 noon and 6 p.m., with thefts rising in December. The average value taken per theft was €600, while the most commonly taken items are cash, electronics, tools and handbags.

Retail Safety Day urges members of the public to engage in safe shopping and parking in order to avoid becoming a victim of crime, while also improving their personal security.