Witney News - Thieves steal Christmas presents - Leafield

Thieves steal Christmas presents - Leafield

Residents in West Oxfordshire are being warned not to leave bags and Christmas presents in cars following a theft at Leafield.

Four suitcases along with four bags of wrapped Christmas presents were stolen from a parked car just outside Leafield church last Saturday (9/12). The items had been left in the boot and were partially visible through the rear windscreen.

The victim, Joanna Elliott from Charlbury, had parked her car while she attended a children's Christmas concert at the nearby church.

"I left my car at 7pm and by 8.30pm the alarm was going off. Someone had smashed my rear windscreen and stolen everything, even the children's teddies," explains Joanna Elliott. "I honestly thought the presents and bags would be safe in my car in Leafield but this just goes to show you can't be too careful wherever you are. I'm hoping that some of my belongings may have been dumped somewhere so I'm asking people to keep an eye out for them."

The items stolen include:
1) Light blue school rucksack containing year eight work/textbooks
2) Bright green roll bag with girl's overnight things in, including a 'tigger' stuffed toy about 12 inches high
3) Black wheel-along suitcase containing women's clothes and a make up bag
4) Small pink wheel-along case containing girl's clothes and toys
5) Four carrier bags of wrapped Christmas presents.

Police are renewing their warning to people not to leave goods in parked vehicles and to keep newly bought presents out of sight, even at home.

"People should ensure that presents aren’t left under Christmas trees where they can be easily seen from outside the house. Empty boxes should also be disposed of carefully so as not to advertise the new goods indoors to would-be burglars," says Bill Butcher, Crime Reduction Adviser for West Oxfordshire. "You should also take all belongings with you when you leave your parked vehicle. At this time of year, thieves will risk the chance of seeing whether the boot contains high value presents. It's very tempting whilst out shopping to drop some bags off at the car and then continue shopping but bear in mind who may be watching you."