Ref. 73035-56CLEAR YOUR CAR CAMPAIGN: REBECCA James knows the misery car thieves cause.

They snatched a bag containing clothing, make-up and £1,000 worth of expensive hairdressing equipment from her Peugeot 206 which had been left for just five minutes outside her home.

The equipment was covered by her household insurance policy, and she will also be reimbursed for the damage to the window.

But Rebecca (not her real name), a 25-year-old hairdresser from Old Town, still fears she will be more than £300 out of pocket.

She won't get the money back for clothing and make-up worth £200.

There are also other costs, like replacing her driving licence as her purse was also taken.

"I had literally popped home for five minutes to feed the dog," she said. "I had just put down his food when I heard my car alarm go off."

Thieves had smashed a window, and snatched the bag from the back seat.

"I just didn't know whether to laugh or cry," she added.

"When I was parking up I saw a group of teenagers hanging around and for a second I considered taking my bag inside.

"Because I was only going to be a few minutes, and I thought it would be silly, I didn't. But I could kick myself now."

Rebecca could claim for the contents and other costs, but with a £250 excess on her policy, it is not worth it.

"There are also a lot of small costs that build up," she said. "Like having to cancel a cheque that was in my purse.

"I have also lost lots of things I cannot replace, like letters from my friends which I had kept in my purse."

Rebecca has vowed to learn from her mistakes, and never leaves anything on display.

She hopes Adver readers will learn from her experience.

"Above all else, it just creates so much hassle," she said.

"The thieves who do this don't realise the problems they cause. My message is don't leave anything of value in your car, even it you leave it for a few minutes."

The cost

The theft cost Rebecca a total of £316 made up from:

£100 worth of clothing

£100 of make-up

£15 to have the car thoroughly cleaned to remove shattered glass

£7 to cancel a cheque which was stolen

£25 penalty charge on a direct debit which wasn't paid as her bank account had to be frozen for a day

£19 for a replacement driving licence

£50 excess on the window