Gardai are warning hillwakers and tourists to be extra careful when parking cars at beauty spots around the county, following a number of incidents on Friday.
Cars were broken into at tourist spots in Rathdrum and Glenmacnass waterfall, Gardai are following a definite line of inquiry following statements form the victims.
With the introduction of a Trooper jeep the Gardai have been able to be more active in the Wicklow hills. Operation Uplands has proved successful since its introduction in 2012 with crime following a downward trend in the Wicklow hills.
The Gardaí have appealed to people parking in the uplands to take the following measures to protect their vehicles:
- Avoid leaving bags, clothing etc on view within the vehicle;
- Open the glove box, and where possible, the lid on the boot, to show there is nothing in the vehicle;
- Remove portable sat navs including cradle and suction pads; also wipe any suction marks off the windscreen;
- If you must leave valuables in the boot, put them in before you arrive at the parking location;
- Secure the vehicle (23% of these thefts last year were from unlocked vehicles);
- Report all break-ins or damage to vehicles;
- Watch for, and report, suspicious any activity by dialling 999.
