WATCH OUT FOR THIEVES: Gardaí urge shoppers to be mindful of retail car park thefts this Christmas

Gardai are urging Christmas shoppers to be vigilant of thefts in retail car parks in the run-up to Christmas.

The warning comes as new figures show that €400,000 worth of goods was stolen from shoppers’ cars in Ireland last year. The figures from the Garda Analysis Service to launch Retail Safety Day (today) also show that over 50 retail car park thefts took place each month in 2015.  

Incidents are most common on Tuesdays and Fridays between 12 noon and 6pm, with thefts rising in December. The average value taken per theft was €600, while the most commonly taken items are cash, electronics, tools and handbags.

Launched to coincide with the start of the busy festive shopping period, Retail Safety Day urges members of the public to engage in safe shopping and parking in order to avoid becoming a victim of crime, whilst also improving their personal security.