The Automobile Association has warned Christmas shoppers to be wary of thieves, especially in Dublin.
According to the AA, 70 per cent of the 11,500 instances of theft from unattended cars happened in Dublin last year. And criminals are more likely to find valuables in unattended cars in December.
The AA's Conor Faughnan has advised motorists to put valuables out of sight in the boot of cars if they must leave them unattended, and to always check that the car is locked.
"Do not just press a remote key fob and walk off. It is all too easy to overlook a door or a window that way," said Mr Faughnan.
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The organisation has also advised people to shop early, getting into Dublin before 11 a.m.