SERGEANT John Coppen told Pewsey Parish Council that if drivers or passengers have valuables stolen from parked cars it is their own fault.

Sgt Coppen said the police were running out of ideas of how to get the message of not leaving valuables in cars across.

Despite his officers' best efforts in dishing our warnings and stepping up patrols, cars are still being broken into at local beauty spots and favourite walking areas, he told the council on Monday.

Thefts from cars makes up a large percentage of the crime dealt with by the officers at Pewsey.

This is despite repeated warnings to motorists and signs erected at beauty spots telling drivers that thieves operate in the area.

Sgt Coppen said that on Christmas Eve an Australian tourist had £500 taken from a car parked by Netheravon church.

Coun Phil Stevens, parish council vice chairman, asked if there was a particular hot spot that tourists should avoid because of high crime.

Sgt Coppen said Walkers Hill had seen a spate of thefts but extra patrols by officers had resulted in only one since October.