DRIVERS who leave valuables on display in their cars while they are Christmas shopping will receive a warning letter from police.

Police and parking attendants will note down the registration numbers of cars which are easy prey for opportunist thieves.

Motorists will then receive a letter in the post warning them they could be a target for criminals and offering advice on security.

Chief Insp Martin Greenhalgh of Bolton Police said 466 cars were broken into during November and December last year - an average of eight every day.

"In the last few days we have already taken the details of more than 100 vehicles that have had goods on display," he said.

He added that it was important to remember to put purchases out of sight in the boot of a car and warned that thieves have also begun targeting expensive satellite navigation systems.

Police are also urging shoppers to make sure handbags are zipped up and wallets are safe from pickpockets.