ABERGAVENNY officers are urging residents to check their cars are locked at night following 17 car break ins.

The break ins occurred in the Abergavenny area throughout April.

Detective Inspector Mark Pope said: "We are still receiving reports on a daily basis of items being stolen from unlocked cars. Thieves are checking car door handles at night to see which cars are open.

"We are asking residents to help protect their valuables by firstly making sure their cars are locked and secondly to move any valuables from the view."

In this recent spate of thefts, valuables stolen range from cash and bankcards to football kits and beauty products.

Worst hit areas are Govilon and the Parc Pen y Fal area of the town centre.

DI Pope added: "These incidents show that criminals will literally steal anything at all of value. Things that you may thing are not worth taking are seen differently by a thief."

Officers have increased their patrols and will be delivering leaflets with crime prevention messages and using the mobile police station to talk to local residents about car crime.

For crime prevention advice, contact Abergavenny Neighbourhood Team on 01495 233917. To report a crime call 101 or in an emergency, dial 999.