DRIVERS are being warned it takes just five seconds for a thief to steal valuables from an unlocked car.
Police have launched a campaign encouraging drivers to lock their vehicles in a bid to drive down crime.
Last year 2,252 unlocked cars were targeted by thieves in Lancashire — 25.7 per cent of the 8,748 vehicle crimes reported across the county.
Officers will now be speaking to residents to highlight the consequences of not locking their vehicles and postcards will be distributed to remind people to lock up.
Chief Insp Steve Sansbury said: “Unlocked cars are easy targets for car criminals. If a passing thief sees something that may be of value inside a car, they will take their chances – especially if people make it easy for them by leaving their car unlocked.”
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