POLICE and Quantock Rangers are to step up patrols in car parks and villages across the Quantock Hills on Bank Holiday Monday in an effort to stamp out car crime.

Eamonn Leniston, Police Community Support Officer for the Quantock Hills said: "With the warm weather we are expecting large numbers of visitors to come to the Quantock Hills over the bank holiday weekend.

"We want these visitors to enjoy themselves and not become victims of vehicle crime."

He said officers and rangers would be reminding visitors to make sure they removed property from display in vehicles, locked their cars and kept belongings safe.

He added: "It's a simple message. If your property isn't on display, the thief will see nothing to steal, and walk on by."

He added: "The vast majority of thefts from cars are opportunist.

"The thief sees your sat nav on the dashboard or bag on the back seat, breaks your window and takes it."

Call 0845 456 7000 for more crime prevention advice or visit Avon and Somerset Constabulary's website.