Police warned motorists yesterday that the number of robberies from cars in Hamilton has jumped dramatically in the past ten days.

And the thieves have smartened up -- they know to hit cars outside the range of cameras installed in public areas to catch them, or to outsmart the cameras.

Acting Superintendent Gertrude Barker told The Royal Gazette yesterday that 14 thefts from unattended vehicles had occurred in the past ten days.

Usually the absolute maximum recorded for a whole month would be 18, she said.

But with Christmas just around the corner frazzled shoppers are tending to be a little more careless in leaving valuables on display in their car as they dash into stores.

And cunning thieves are taking advantage of that.

Police in the central division have launched a campaign to plaster a warning sticker on any parked cars holding goods likely to be stolen, or that are simply left unlocked, she said.

"If you park a car in the street with Christmas shopping in it, or a handbag or even just money in the console these people will spot it, open the door, sit in it and remove your belongings.

"They walk along rows of car just checking to see whether there's anything worth taking.

"For obvious reasons at Christmas time when people are running around shopping more and generally in a hurry, the incidence of this type of offence increases.'' She said any motorist who finds the sticker on their car should be glad that it was a police officer and not a thief who spotted the opportunity.

"The sticker says a list of things people should not leave in their car and tells them to watch out because there are thieves about,'' she said.

Police had to stop short of actually locking people's cars to avoid being accused of "tampering''.

So far this festive season stereos, handbags, cell phones, cash and "whatever's in the car that looks valuable'' have gone missing.

"Luckily this year we haven't had any reports of Christmas gifts being stolen yet. But I would think there's a likelihood that these thieves would be targeting some people who leave parcels like that on display.'' "The message to drivers is to try to have a safe crime-free Christmas. Try not to leave things in a position that makes an easy target for crimes of opportunity.'' She said Police were following several leads regarding the spate of crimes and they were confident of soon apprehending offenders.