With a knapsack on your back!

Police in rural Dorset will be issuing hundreds of nylon drawstring rucksacks to encourage motorists to remove their personal belongings from their cars and take them with them during visits to beauty spot areas.

PC Mark Harper, Crime Reduction Officer for Dorset Police, said: “It is quite normal to see a rise in thefts from motor vehicles at beauty spot car parks at this time of year, due to the warm weather. However, visitors are still not taking their belongings with them and are paying the price.

“Would you leave your purse, bag or sat nav in a biscuit tin in a car park? I doubt it, but it is almost easier to get into a car than a biscuit tin and it is almost as easy to search.

“We hope that by dishing out these nylon rucksacks, it will encourage people, to take their handbags, and other valuables with them.

“In the past, we used to advise people to hide items in the boot, however, with rear seats easily pulled down, boot release catches by the driver’s seat giving access to the boot, and with criminals watching to see you put items in the boot - the motto now is take your valuables with you.

“The message is not to leave anything in your car when you park it and leave it unattended. Do not try to hide it either – just take all belongings with you.”