WHITEHILL Police are warning residents to be ultra security conscious in the warmer weather.
They have issued a stark warning about the increased number of reports of handbags and wallets being stolen by pickpockets, the number of thefts from vehicles and from properties left open.
Pc Williams from Whitehill Police confirmed: "We have had an increasing number of pickpocketing incidents reported recently. We believe these thieves are probably coming up from somewhere like Portsmouth and targeting Bordon and Petersfield. People must be a lot more aware of their own security and keep stuff close to them at all times.
"We have also seen a rise in the number of crimes at beauty spots in recent weeks, which is fairly typical for this time of year. Items are being taken from inside parked vehicles while people are out walking. We used to advise people to lock their valuables in their boots but that doesn't seem to deter thieves anymore. Most are fairly easy to break into, so the best advice we can offer is to take any valuables with you, wherever feasible, and make sure nothing is on show.
"We went through a stage where these opportunists would hide in the bushes and wait for the owners to walk their dogs, knowing they would be gone for about an hour. It's always a good bet that something like that is going to happen."
Whitehill Police also warned about the dangers of leaving windows and doors open in the warmer weather and valuables in the garden.
Pc Williams confirmed: "In the nice weather it is easy to leave windows open and doors unlocked but it is an open invitation to burglars. Leaving out expensive belongings like sun loungers can be risky and even leaving the back door open while you are enjoying the sunshine in the garden is dangerous, before you know it someone could be inside pinching things."
"There is always someone out there prepared to steal from you if you give them the opportunity," he warned.