POLICE have warned motorists to keep their belongings out of sight when they leave their vehicle following an incident on Tuesday.

A woman's black shoulder bag was taken from her Skoda car which was parked on Preston Street, Darwen along with the rear windscreen of the vehicle.

Police said that although the theft of the windscreen was unusual, there are a number of offences in which property left on show is stolen.

Det Sgt Ian Critchley of Darwen CID said: "The number of thefts of property left on show in cars in quite high, we do not have exact figures to hand but in order that these offences can be cut out I would ask carowners to take all their valuables out of the car with them."