Garda warning issued over opportunist thieves targeting shoppers outside their homes

Shoppers across the west have been advised by gardaí not to leave their vehicles unlocked or unattended as they bring their shopping into their homes.

This follows reports in Galway of opportunist thieves ‘striking’ as the shopping bags were being moved into houses.

Galway Garda Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Michael Walsh, said that opportunist thieves would always be ‘on the look out for a handy theft’.

“What I would advise is that either have someone to keep an eye on the car when the shopping is being removed – or else lock the car each time, and don’t leave any cash or valuables in the vehicle.

“It might be an inconvenience to lock the car each time you go back into the house, but it is still far better than having something stolen from your vehicle,” stated Sergeant Walsh.

He also urged, that as a matter of routine, no one should leave any valuables in their cars when they parked them up.

“Even the coins that some people keep in car pockets for parking or other small payments can attract thieves. Never leave anything of value in your vehicles,” he added.