Police are warning car owners to make sure their cars are locked and no valuables left inside after a spate of theft from vehicles.

Officers say there have been an increase of such thefts in the Halliwell  area and are urging motorists to make sure their cars are locked, the windows are up, and nothing valuable is left in view.

Police also appealed for anyone with CCTV of any thefts in the area to come forward and urged people to report any thefts.

A spokesman for police said: " There has been a recent increase in thefts from vehicles in the Halliwell area.

The Bolton News: The cars were found in the Halliwell area

"If anyone has any CCTV footage or dash cam footage of the offenders please contact us on 101 or the GMP website https://orlo.uk/QA2Yd/ 

"Ensure no valuables are left inside of your vehicle.

" Ensure all doors are locked and windows are up, and do not keep items on show in your vehicle."

Following the warning, Labour Cllr Kevin Morris for the Halliwell ward said people could ensure car thieves were not given the 'golden opportunity' to steal if they heeded the advice from GMP and made sure nothing was left on show.

He said: " I would ask residents to be extra vigilant, particularly as the dark evenings are approaching, report any suspicious activity or behaviour near vehicles and to take the advice of GMP of ensuring no valuables are left inside vehicles, ensure doors are locked, windows up, do not keep items such as mobiles, wallets/purses, even loose change on show.

"Sadly it only takes a few seconds and a vehicle is broken in or even taken.

"Don't give any car thieves any golden opportunities to steal."

It comes as many people in Halliwell have reported car thefts and as of recently, gate top posts going missing outside of homes.

Several neighbours from around the Smithills and Halliwell area reported their gatepost tops as being stolen back in September.