ATTEMPTED vehicle break-ins at a car park near Sidmouth are being linked to a series of similar crimes in the area, say police.

ATTEMPTED vehicle break-ins at a car park near Sidmouth are being linked to a series of similar crimes in the area, say police.

There has been a big rise in thefts from vehicles in the last year and officers responded to six reports of attempted break-ins at the Knapp Copse Nature Reserve car park on Saturday.

All vehicles had windows smashed but police say it appears nothing was stolen.

Sergeant Andy Turner, of Sidmouth Police, said: "We have appealed in the past for people to take extreme care over belongings they leave in vehicles but up to now it seems many people have ignored our advice.

"PC Wallace and PCSO Powe are amazed by the amount of vehicles left with valuable items on show."

As a result of the thefts and attempted break-ins officers are carrying out surveillance on car parks which have been targeted but they are appealing for the help of the public.

Sergeant Turner added: "Break-ins not only have a substantial impact on the victims but they are draining police resources to the bare minimum.

"A lot of these cases would never have happened if belongings had not been left. We appreciate people should be able to move around freely without worry but simple crime prevention measures will help to stop these crimes."

He said a concerned member of the public reported a car that had been left insecure with belongings inside at Salcombe Hill car park on Sunday.

"These are the actions that make it easy for thieves that are targeting our beauty spots."

Police are asking the public who see anything suspicious to dial 999 straightaway and take a description of the people they believe could be involved in the break-ins.

Anybody with information about the criminal damage to vehicles at Knapp Copse car park can ring 08452 777444 quoting crime number KS/09/686.