BE VIGILANT and make sure no valuables are left in parked cars. That's the advice from RAC Auto Windscreens.

The company is an official partner of the Home Office’s on-going initiative to combat car crime.

It points out that nearly two-thirds of all vehicle crime happens when vehicles are parked in the vicinity of the victim’s homes, 36 per cent of incidents occur on the street outside the car owner’s property, while 26 per cent of thefts happen in semi-private parking areas, such as drives.

Seventy-four per cent of vehicle-related crime occurs in the hours of darkness - 33 per cent happens between midnight and 6am.

Earlier this year RAC Auto Windscreens launched the “Safe Sack” concept, an orange drawstring bag which not only aims to bring home the reality of car crime it also acts as a reminder to keep valuables out of temptations way. It includes a warning sign to be left inside the car, advising passers-by that the vehicle has been emptied of all its valuables.

The Safe Sack is available free of charge to all motorists, from any of the company’s 161 fitting centres on production of a valid driving licence.

For details, call 0800 587 6820.