North West Leicestershire Police have warned of an increase in vehicle interference in Ashby - with eight reports in the last month.

Residents - particularly those on newly-built estates - are being warned to make sure their vehicles are secure overnight.

A post, warning of the dangers, has been made to the Neighbourhood Alert website.

It reads: "There is an emerging trend in relation to vehicle crime.

"This relates to an offence called vehicle interference.

"This is where a person interferes with anything in or on a motor vehicle.

"We have noticed an increase in such offences in the Ashby de la Zouch area. There have been around eight reports this month.

"These activities are predominantly being committed on new developments in the town where residents tend to leave their cars outside.

"The offences are opportunistic in nature with persons going onto driveways and looking for insecure vehicles rather than actually breaking into them.

"On occasion, they are also looking for unlocked garages and front and back doors.

"Offences predominantly occur between midnight and 4 a.m.

"Please double check that your vehicle is locked and there are no valuables inside."