A CONVICTED car thief has spoken out about choosing which vehicles to target as part of a new crime prevention campaign by Dorset Police.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, is reported to have committed vehicle-related crimes in Charminster, East Cliff, West Cliff, Winton and Boscombe. However he is now offering residents advice through Dorset Police to prevent them from becoming the victim of a similar crime.

It is all part of the force's summer vehicle crime awareness and prevention campaign, which Dorset Police have created in response to a spike in reports of theft from unattended vehicles during hot weather.

The convicted car thief said: "When I’m looking at a car, I’m looking at what kind of security it’s got. I’m looking at whether it’s going to be something quick and easy or if it’s going to take a bit of time. Depending on the situation and time I’ve got, I decide whether it’s worth doing.

"I’ve found wallets in there, car keys, house keys and jewellery. People just leave a lot of stuff. Don’t leave anything on display – nothing."

He said deterrents for a criminal include stickers and security signs saying that the car is alarmed, visible car alarms and steering wheel, gear stick or handbrake locks.

"If people were more security conscious, it wouldn’t take them even five minutes to clear out their car and make it secure."

Figures from the force show that it received 1,204 reports of vehicle crime across the county in the first five months of this year.

These include two large-scale crime series in Bournemouth with the first involving 84 theft of unattended motor vehicle offences in East Cliff, Springbourne and Boscombe West. Seven men have been arrested on suspicion of the offences, which were predominantly committed at night.

The second series occurred between mid-April and mid-May, consisting of 17 offences in the Southbourne area, which are also believed to have been committed by multiple offenders during darkness.

Detective Inspector Andy Dilworth of Bournemouth Police Station, said: "Vehicle crime has been an issue in Dorset for several years, and despite arresting prolific offenders regularly, criminals continue to target vehicles across the county.

"In this hot weather, people sometimes leave their windows open and doors unlocked when they park up or leave smaller items like sunglasses on show, which entices the thieves to try door handles and break in to the vehicle."

Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be working with the public and private sector businesses across the county to ensure that the people can avoid being the victim of a vehicle crime.